Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

8.6K

The regulation of the apoptotic pore-An immunological tightrope walk

Andreas Jenner1, Ana J Garcia-Saez1

  • 1Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Advances in Immunology
|June 12, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial apoptosis involves pore formation, regulated by BCL-2 proteins. Sublethal mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) triggers inflammation, impacting disease and cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mitochondrial apoptosis is a key cell death pathway regulated by BCL-2 family proteins.
  • Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) releases contents, activating caspases for cell death.
  • Under low caspase activity, released mitochondrial factors trigger inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the regulation of apoptotic pore formation by BCL-2 proteins and other factors.
  • To highlight the role of sublethal MOMP in mitochondrial-activated inflammation.
  • To explore the physiological consequences and therapeutic potential of MOMP.

Main Methods:

  • Review of BCL-2 protein family interactions.
  • Analysis of cellular and mitochondrial protein involvement in pore formation.
  • Examination of membrane lipid roles in MOMP.
  • Discussion of inflammatory signaling pathways activated by mitochondrial release.

Main Results:

  • Apoptotic pore formation is a critical regulator of mitochondrial apoptosis.
  • Sublethal MOMP can initiate inflammatory responses independent of rapid cell death.
  • MOMP plays a significant role in pathogen infection and various diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding MOMP regulation by BCL-2 proteins and other factors is crucial.
  • Sublethal MOMP has significant implications for inflammation and disease pathogenesis.
  • Targeting MOMP offers potential therapeutic strategies, particularly in cancer treatment.
Keywords:
ApoptosisBCL-2 proteinsMOMPMitochondria-associated inflammationMtDNA

More Related Videos

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity12:17

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

Published on: August 12, 2018

10.6K
Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages06:47

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages

Published on: May 24, 2019

7.1K

Related Concept Videos

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...
6.3K
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
3.8K
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...
11.4K
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...
6.5K
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response01:31

Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response

Inositol-requiring kinase one or IRE1 is the most conserved eukaryotic unfolded protein response (UPR) receptor. It is a type I transmembrane protein kinase receptor with a distinctive site-specific RNase activity. As the binding mechanics of the misfolded proteins with the N-terminal domain of IRE-1 are unclear, three binding models — direct, indirect, and allosteric -- are proposed for receptor activation. Nevertheless, it is known that once a misfolded protein associates with IRE1, it...
2.4K
Caspases01:24

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside...
12.4K