Bcl-2 family proteins and mitochondria.
The Bcl-2 family of proteins plays a pivotal role in regulating cell life and death. Many of these proteins reside in the outer mitochondrial membrane, oriented towards the cytosol. Cytoprotective Bcl-2 family proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL prevent mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and release of apoptogenic proteins from mitochondria under many circumstances that would otherwise result in either apoptosis or necrosis. In contrast, some pro-apoptotic members of this family such as Bax can induce these destructive changes in mitochondria in both mammalian cells and when expressed exogenously in yeast. The mechanisms by which Bcl-2 family proteins control cell life and death remain elusive, but may include both the ability to form ion channels or pores in membranes and physical interactions with a variety of proteins implicated in apoptosis regulation.
The Burnham Institute, Program on Apoptosis and Cell Death Research, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. jreed@burnham-institute.org
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Reed
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Jurgensmeier
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Matsuyama
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D020170:Caspase 1; D016923:Cell Death; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000378:metabolism; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D007473:Ion Channels; D011506:Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D020170:Caspase 1