Mitochondria and apoptosis

 Involvement of mitochondria in apotposis is regulated by proteins of the Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphocytic-leukaemia proto-oncogene 2 or BCL2) family. These proteins act by altering the properties of mitochondrial membranes to facilitate the release of apoptogenic proteins like cytochrome c and Smac/Diablo that, once released into the cytosol, are crucial for activating the caspase cascade of cell degradation.
 CL (cardiolipin), an unusual membrane lipid that is predominantly present in mitochondria, is required for the action of major pro-apoptotic proteins like Bid and Bax. Bid may be involved in the metabolic cycle of CL re-modelling.

Structures

 inner mitochondrial membrane

Pathology

 mitochondrial lesions
 mitochondrial diseases

See also

 mitochondrial fusion
 mitochondrial genesis
 mitochondrial death
 mitochondria and cellular death (mitochondria and apoptosis)

References

 Meeusen SL, Nunnari J. How mitochondria fuse. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2005 Aug;17(4):389-94. PMID: #15975776#

 Jensen RE. Control of mitochondrial shape. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2005 Aug;17(4):384-8. PMID: #15975781#

 Mattson MP, Kroemer G. Mitochondria in cell death: novel targets for neuroprotection and cardioprotection. Trends Mol Med. 2003 May;9(5):196-205. PMID: #12763524#

 Chacinska A, Pfanner N, Meisinger C. How mitochondria import hydrophilic and hydrophobic proteins. Trends Cell Biol. 2002 Jul;12(7):299-303. PMID: #12185844#

 Ravagnan L, Roumier T, Kroemer G. Mitochondria, the killer organelles and their weapons. J Cell Physiol. 2002 Aug;192(2):131-7. PMID: #12115719#

 Cohen I, Castedo M, Kroemer G. Tantalizing Thanatos: unexpected links in death pathways. Trends Cell Biol. 2002 Jul;12(7):293-5. PMID: #12185842#

 Desagher S, Martinou JC. Mitochondria as the central control point of apoptosis. Trends Cell Biol. 2000 Sep ;10(9):369-77. PMID : #10932094#