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Mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamics and apoptosis

Clare Sheridan1, Seamus J Martin

  • 1Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Dept. of Genetics, The Smurfit Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Mitochondrion
|August 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial fragmentation is not essential for apoptosis-associated cytochrome c release, though Bcl-2 proteins regulate mitochondrial dynamics independently of apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mitochondria are crucial in apoptosis, releasing cytochrome c.
  • Mitochondrial networks fragment during apoptosis, but its necessity is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the role of mitochondrial fragmentation in apoptosis-associated cytochrome c release.
  • To explore the function of Bcl-2 family members in mitochondrial dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing evidence on mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis.
  • Analysis of the role of Bcl-2 family proteins in mitochondrial fission and fusion.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests mitochondrial fission is not critical for cytochrome c release.
  • Bcl-2 family members regulate mitochondrial dynamics independently of apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial fragmentation is not a prerequisite for apoptosis-associated cytochrome c release.
  • Bcl-2 proteins have a distinct role in controlling mitochondrial fission and fusion dynamics.

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