S-palmitoylation represents a novel mechanism regulating the mitochondrial targeting of BAX and initiation of apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: The intrinsic pathway of apoptotic cell death is mainly mediated by the BCL-2-associated X (BAX) protein through permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) and the concomitant release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. In healthy, non-apoptotic cells, BAX is predominantly localized in the cytosol and exhibits a dynamic shuttle cycle between the cytosol and the mitochondria. Thus, the initial association with mitochondria represents a critical regulatory step enabling BAX to insert into MOMs, promoting the release of cytochrome c and ultimately resulting in apoptosis. However, the molecular mode of how BAX associates with MOMs and whether a cellular regulatory mechanism governs this process is poorly understood. Here we show that in both primary tissues and cultured cells, th

SUBMITTER: Frohlich M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3944235 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature