Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor
06:26

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor

Published on: April 1, 2011

[Mitochondrial control of apoptosis]

G Kroemer1

  • 1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 1599, Institut Gustave Roussy, 39 rue Camille-Desmoulins-94805 Villejuif.

Bulletin De L'Academie Nationale De Medecine
|November 23, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondria play a key role in programmed cell death (apoptosis), a process often dysregulated in cancer. Discovering mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) opens new avenues for cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Context:

  • Dysregulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis) is implicated in various pathologies, notably cancer, often characterized by resistance to apoptosis induction.
  • The mitochondrion was identified as a key organelle involved in apoptosis.
  • Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) is a critical step in the apoptotic process, regulated by proteins like Bcl-2/Bax family members.

Purpose:

  • To elucidate the role of mitochondria in apoptosis.
  • To identify key effectors of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis.
  • To explore the potential of targeting MMP for cancer therapy.

Summary:

  • Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) is a central event in apoptosis, integrating various pro-apoptotic signals.
  • Release of apoptogenic proteins, such as apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), from mitochondria into the cytoplasm triggers cell death.
  • AIF is a principal effector of apoptosis, essential for early embryonic development and capable of inducing cell death upon extracellular release.

Impact:

  • The findings highlight MMP as a crucial target for therapeutic intervention in cancer.
  • Identification of AIF provides a molecular target for developing novel anti-cancer strategies aimed at inducing apoptosis.
  • Understanding the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis offers new perspectives for treating apoptosis-resistant cancers.

More Related Videos

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c07:42

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c

Published on: June 29, 2011

Isolation and Functional Analysis of Mitochondria from Cultured Cells and Mouse Tissue09:27

Isolation and Functional Analysis of Mitochondria from Cultured Cells and Mouse Tissue

Published on: March 23, 2015

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,...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
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...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...