AIF: a multifunctional cog in the life and death machine.
Mitochondria have a dual role in cellular life and death as life-promoting energy providers and as contributors to programmed cell death (apoptosis). The precise sequence of events resulting in the permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane and the release of mitochondrial resident proteins remains an actively explored topic. Hansen and Nagley describe results from mammalian cells and from the nematode C. elegans that lead to a feedforward model for mitochondrial destabilization. Furthermore, they describe the mitochondrial and apoptotic functions of several proteins released from mitochondria during progression toward cell death.
Hansen
Tania M
TM
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Post Office Box 13D, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia. tania.hansen@med.monash.edu.au
Nagley
Phillip
P
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D005420:Flavoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice
D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor; D005420:Flavoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C494830:AIFM1 protein, mouse