Mitochondrial Membranes Involved in Apoptosis - the Bcl-2 Proteins

Apoptosis: Bcl-2-related proteins get connected

Bcl-2 family proteins are key intracellular regulators of programmed cell death. Several recent discoveries demonstrate how these proteins interact with the molecular machinery that controls and executes the cell-death programme, and how they can themselves be regulated by extracellular survival signals.

The role of the mitochondrial membrane system in apoptosis: The influence of oxidative stress on membranes and their interactions with apoptosis-regulating Bcl-2 proteins

Control of mitochondrial apoptosis by the Bcl-2 family.

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is important for the development and homeostasis of tissues. Too little cell death can result in autoimmune diseases or cancer, whereas excessive cell death can lead to debilitating degenerative diseases of the heart or nervous system. The realization that apoptosis was genetically controlled first arose when it was observed that certain mutants of the model...

Role of Bcl-2 in Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Permeability

Apoptosis is of great importance in various biological systems for functioning of physiological processes in multicellular organisms. It is also required for normal functioning of the body, embryonic development , tissue homeostasis , functioning of immune system , removal of defective cells. Various factors take part in the process of apoptosis , the critical control point being regulated by t...

Mitochondria in apoptosis: Bcl-2 family members and mitochondrial dynamics.

Mitochondria participate in apoptosis through a range of mechanisms that vary between vertebrates and invertebrates. In vertebrates, they release intermembrane space proteins, such as cytochrome c, to promote caspase activation in the cytosol. This process is the result of the loss of integrity of the outer mitochondrial membrane caused by proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family. This event is...