Mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in mammals

• DOI: 10.1007/s13238-014-0089-1
• Publication Date: 2014-07-30T00:19:40Z
• Authors: Shunbin Xiong; Tianyang Mu; Guowen Wang; Xuejun Jiang
• Keywords: Intrinsic apoptosis

The mitochondria-mediated caspase activation pathway is a major apoptotic characterized by mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) and subsequent release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm to activate caspases. MOMP regulated Bcl-2 family proteins. This plays important roles not only in normal development, maintenance tissue homeostasis regulation immune system, but also human diseases such as disorders, neurodegeneration cancer. In past decades molecular basis this regulatory mechanism have been comprehensively studied, yet great deal new evidence indicates that from mitochondria does always lead irreversible cell death, can non-death functions. Thus, many unsolved questions challenges are still remaining. Furthermore, dysfunction involved cancer development obvious, targeting therapeutic strategy has extensively explored, efficacy targeted therapies under development. review we will discuss apoptosis its physiological implications.