Spatial and temporal dynamics of mitochondrial membrane permeability waves during apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: Change in the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane to proteins (cytochrome c and Smac) and protons is a critical step in apoptosis. Although the time from the induction of apoptosis to the change of mitochondrial permeability is variable over a period of hours, the release of proteins is an "all or none" phenomenon that is completed in an individual cell within minutes. Here, using single-cell fluorescence microscopy, we show that the release of cytochrome c from a single mitochondrion occurs in a single step. However, this increased permeability of the outer membrane to cytochrome c propagates throughout the cell as a slower, spatially coordinated wave. The permeability of the outer membrane to Smac propagates with the same spatial pattern but lagging in time. This is followed by a

SUBMITTER: Bhola PD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2764100 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature