Determinants of Cytochrome c Pro-apoptotic Activity

Stability and apoptotic activity of recombinant human cytochrome c.

An efficient system for producing human cytochrome c variants is important to help us understand the roles of this protein in biological processes relevant to human diseases including apoptosis and oxidative stress. Here, we describe an Escherichia coli expression system for producing recombinant human cytochrome c. We also characterize the structure, stability, and function of the protein and ...

Distinct mechanisms for the pro-apoptotic conformational transition and alkaline transition in cytochrome c.

We demonstrate for the first time that cytochrome c undergoes a distinct pathway in the alkaline conformational transition from its pro-apoptotic conformational transition, which may have important functional consequences in vivo.

Another piece of the puzzle of apoptotic cytochrome c release.

Involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) in apoptosis and PTP structure are highly controversial. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, experiments based on yeast genetics analyse the roles of the three proteins commonly considered to form the PTP, i.e. porin, ADP/ATP carrier (ACC) and mitochondrial cyclophilin, on apoptosis-like cell death. Whereas knocking out cy...

PRO- AND ANTI-APOPTOTIC FUNCTIONS OF ETOPOSIDE AND THE MECHANISM OF CARDIOLIPIN OXIDATION BY CYTOCHROME C. by

Synthesis and Pro-Apoptotic Activity of Novel Glycyrrhetinic Acid Derivatives

Triterpenoids are used for medicinal purposes in many countries. Some, such as oleanolic and glycyrrhetinic acids, are known to be anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic. However, the biological activities of these naturally occurring molecules against their particular targets are weak, so the synthesis of new synthetic analogues with enhanced potency is needed. By combining modifications to bo...