Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c
07:42

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c

Published on: June 29, 2011

Mitochondrial control of cell death

G Kroemer1, J C Reed

  • 1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS-ULR1599, Institut Gustave Roussy 24 rue Calmette Desmoulins, F-94805 Villejuif. kroemer@infobiogen.fr

Nature Medicine
|May 10, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization is a key step in programmed cell death pathways like apoptosis and necrosis. Controlling this process is crucial for understanding and treating diseases involving cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization is a critical event in programmed cell death.
  • This process significantly influences the mechanisms of both apoptosis and necrosis.
  • Understanding this step is vital for disease pathology and therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization in cell death.
  • To highlight its significance in disease pathophysiology.
  • To explore its potential as a target for pharmacological control.

Main Methods:

  • The study focuses on the conceptual understanding of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization.
  • It reviews existing literature and established biological principles.
  • No specific experimental methods are detailed in this abstract.

Main Results:

  • Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization acts as a rate-limiting step in cell demise.
  • This step has profound implications for the pathological processes of cell death.
  • The findings underscore the importance of this event in disease.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization is a central mechanism in apoptotic and necrotic cell death.
  • Its control is essential for managing diseases characterized by aberrant cell death.
  • Targeting this process offers potential therapeutic strategies.

More Related Videos

Sensitive Measurement of Mitophagy by Flow Cytometry Using the pH-dependent Fluorescent Reporter mt-Keima09:13

Sensitive Measurement of Mitophagy by Flow Cytometry Using the pH-dependent Fluorescent Reporter mt-Keima

Published on: August 12, 2018

Visualizing Mitophagy with Fluorescent Dyes for Mitochondria and Lysosome07:56

Visualizing Mitophagy with Fluorescent Dyes for Mitochondria and Lysosome

Published on: November 30, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...