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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
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,...
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,...
Necrosis01:16

Necrosis

Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Sensitive Measurement of Mitophagy by Flow Cytometry Using the pH-dependent Fluorescent Reporter mt-Keima
09:13

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

Published on: August 12, 2018

Mitochondria as decision-makers in cell death.

Vilmante Borutaite1

  • 1Institute for Biomedical Research, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. vilbor@vector.kmu.lt

Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis
|March 9, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Mitochondria actively control cell death through membrane permeabilization and caspase regulation. Understanding these mechanisms offers therapeutic strategies for diseases and cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mitochondria are crucial for cellular life and death.
  • Evidence shows mitochondria actively regulate cell death pathways.
  • Key roles include protein release, caspase activation, and energy supply.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review mechanisms of mitochondrial control over cell death.
  • To discuss outer membrane permeabilization and protein translocation.
  • To explore mitochondrial decision-making in cell death modes and caspase regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of experimental evidence.
  • Analysis of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization.
  • Examination of cytochrome c's role in caspase activation.

More Related Videos

Visualizing Mitophagy with Fluorescent Dyes for Mitochondria and Lysosome
07:56

Visualizing Mitophagy with Fluorescent Dyes for Mitochondria and Lysosome

Published on: November 30, 2022

An Automated Differential Nuclear Staining Assay for Accurate Determination of Mitocan Cytotoxicity
07:58

An Automated Differential Nuclear Staining Assay for Accurate Determination of Mitocan Cytotoxicity

Published on: May 12, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Sensitive Measurement of Mitophagy by Flow Cytometry Using the pH-dependent Fluorescent Reporter mt-Keima
09:13

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 Lysosome
07:56

Visualizing Mitophagy with Fluorescent Dyes for Mitochondria and Lysosome

Published on: November 30, 2022

An Automated Differential Nuclear Staining Assay for Accurate Determination of Mitocan Cytotoxicity
07:58

An Automated Differential Nuclear Staining Assay for Accurate Determination of Mitocan Cytotoxicity

Published on: May 12, 2020

Main Results:

  • Mitochondria control cell death via membrane permeabilization, releasing proapoptotic proteins.
  • Mitochondria regulate caspase activation, influenced by cytosolic cytochrome c's redox state.
  • Mitochondria provide energy essential for executing cell death programs.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial pathways are central to cell death regulation.
  • Targeting these mitochondrial processes offers therapeutic potential.
  • Interventions can prevent unwanted cell death or enhance anticancer therapy.