MOMP in the absence of BH3-only proteins

Genes Dev. 2016 Apr 15;30(8):878-80. doi: 10.1101/gad.281519.116.

Abstract

The minimum requirement for mitochondrial apoptosis has been controversial ever since the discovery of BCL-2 as a cell death regulator. In this issue ofGenes&Development, O'Neill and colleagues (pp. 973-988) end a long-standing debate by creating a cellular system free of BCL-2 family proteins, thereby identifying the outer mitochondrial membrane rather than BH3-only proteins as the only requirement for BAX/BAK activation and mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP).

Keywords: BH3-only; Bax/Bak activation; anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins; outer mitochondrial membrane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Membranes / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Permeability
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism*
  • bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein / genetics*
  • bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein / metabolism
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / genetics*
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein