Protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions of pore-forming BCL-2 family proteins in apoptosis initiation.

ABSTRACT: Apoptosis is a common cell death program that is important in human health and disease. Signaling in apoptosis is largely driven through protein-protein interactions. The BCL-2 family proteins function in protein-protein interactions as key regulators of mitochondrial poration, the process that initiates apoptosis through the release of cytochrome c, which activates the apoptotic caspase cascade leading to cellular demolition. The BCL-2 pore-forming proteins BAK and BAX are the key executors of mitochondrial poration. We review the state of knowledge of protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions governing the apoptotic function of BAK and BAX, as determined through X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy studies. BAK and BAX are dormant, globular α-helical proteins that participate

SUBMITTER: Sekar G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9310348 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature