Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
07:42
Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c
Published on: June 29, 2011
Involvement of mitochondria in apoptosis
X Roucou1, B Antonsson, J C Martinou
1Department of Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Cardiology Clinics
|January 15, 2002
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases involve apoptosis, a programmed cell death pathway. Targeting mitochondria may offer new treatments for conditions like heart failure and atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cell Death Mechanisms
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is triggered by various stressors in cardiovascular cells.
- Both mitochondrial and cytokine pathways (TNF, Fas) can activate apoptosis.
- Apoptotic cardiomyocytes are identified in diverse cardiovascular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of apoptosis in cardiovascular diseases.
- To explore the involvement of the mitochondrial pathway in cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of endomyocardial biopsies using immunohistochemistry.
- Review of existing literature on apoptosis induction in cardiovascular cells.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis is present in cardiomyocytes of patients with heart failure, myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathies.
- Apoptosis is also detected in vascular diseases including atherosclerosis and hypertension.
- Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization is a likely key mechanism in cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- The intrinsic cell death program is activated in cardiovascular diseases.
- Mitochondria play a critical role in mediating cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
- Developing drugs targeting mitochondria could offer novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
01:30Apoptosis
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.
01:17The 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...
01:31The 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...
01:18Autophagic 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...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
01:22Cellular 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...