Regulation of the mitochondrial apoptosis-induced channel, MAC, by BCL-2 family proteins

Laurent M. Dejean, Sonia Martinez-Caballero, Stephen Manon, Kathleen W. Kinnally

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Programmed cell death or apoptosis is central to many physiological processes and pathological conditions such as organogenesis, tissue homeostasis, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Bcl-2 family proteins tightly control this cell death program by regulating the permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane and, hence, the release of cytochrome c and other pro-apoptotic factors. Control of the formation of the mitochondrial apoptosis-induced channel, or MAC, is central to the regulation of apoptosis by Bcl-2 family proteins. MAC is detected early in apoptosis by patch clamping the mitochondrial outer membrane. The focus of this review is on the regulation of MAC activity by Bcl-2 family proteins. The role of MAC as the putative cytochrome c release channel during early apoptosis and insights concerning its molecular composition are also discussed.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)191-201
    Number of pages11
    JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease
    Volume1762
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Feb 2006

    Keywords

    • Apoptosis
    • Bax
    • Bcl-2
    • MAC
    • Mitochondrial apoptosis-induced channel
    • Patch clamp

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Molecular Medicine
    • Molecular Biology

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