Bcl-2 proteins regulate ER membrane permeability to luminal proteins during ER stress-induced apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis may arise from multiple environmental and pharmacological causes, but the precise mechanism(s) involved are not completely known. Members of Bcl-2 protein family are important regulators of apoptosis. In this study, we report that in a process dependent on the proapoptotic Bcl-2 members Bax and Bak, exogenously expressed fluorescent protein localized to the ER lumen is released into the cytosol in cells undergoing ER stress. Upon ER stress induction, endogenous ER luminal proteins are also released into the cytosol in a similar manner accompanied by translocation and anchorage of Bax to the ER membrane. In addition, Bax and truncated-Bid (tBid) mediate a global increase in ER membrane permeability to ER luminal proteins in vitro. Importan

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2947581 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature