Emerging role for members of the Bcl-2 family in mitochondrial morphogenesis.
Bcl-2 family proteins regulate apoptosis by controlling the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c via the Bax/Bak channel. However, recent studies have also implicated several members of this family in the regulation of mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamics. It has been debated whether the role of Bcl-2 proteins in mitochondrial morphogenesis is functionally distinct from their role in apoptosis, with some arguing that Bax/Bak-induced mitochondrial fission promotes apoptosis-associated cytochrome c release, while others suggest that these functions are separable. Here we review this emerging area and argue for a role for the Bcl-2 family as novel regulators of mitochondrial morphogenesis.
Autret
Arnaud
A
Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics, The Smurfit Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Martin
Seamus J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D050998:bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein / Q000502:physiology; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000502:physiology
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D050998:bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D045304:Cytochromes c