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Related Experiment Videos

Transbilayer lipid diffusion promoted by Bax: implications for apoptosis.

Raquel F Epand1, Jean-Claude Martinou, Sylvie Montessuit

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada. epand@mcmaster.ca

Biochemistry
|December 10, 2003
PubMed
Summary

The proapoptotic protein Bax accelerates lipid movement across cell membranes. Activated Bax, not its inactive form, significantly increases transbilayer diffusion rates, a key process in apoptosis.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The proapoptotic protein Bax forms pores in membranes, releasing inter-membrane proteins.
  • Biological membranes maintain lipid asymmetry despite rapid transbilayer diffusion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of Bax on lipid transbilayer diffusion rates.
  • To determine if Bax-induced membrane changes contribute to lipid redistribution during apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized two independent assays to measure lipid transbilayer diffusion rates in liposomes.
  • Employed pyrene-labeled lipids and pre-formed asymmetric liposomes to assess diffusion.

Main Results:

  • Oligomeric Bax (BaxΔC) and full-length Bax with tBid significantly accelerated lipid transbilayer diffusion.

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  • Monomeric full-length Bax did not show a significant effect on diffusion rates.
  • Activated Bax promotes transbilayer diffusion, explaining lipid redistribution in mitochondria during apoptosis.

    • Conclusions:

    • Activated Bax not only forms pores but also enhances lipid transbilayer diffusion.
    • This Bax-mediated increase in diffusion is crucial for lipid translocation events observed in apoptosis, such as cardiolipin redistribution.