Assessing mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization during apoptosis

    Authors

    Z. Dave; M. Byfield;E. Bossy-Wetzel

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abstract

    Mitochondria play a pivotal role in the regulation of apoptosis. An imbalance in apoptosis can lead to disease. Unscheduled apoptosis has been linked to neurodegeneration while inhibition of apoptosis can cause cancer. An early and key event during apoptosis is the release of factors from mitochondria. In apoptosis the mitochondrial outer membrane becomes permeable, leading to release of apoptogenic factors into the cytosol. One such factor, cytochrome c, is an electron carrier of the respiratory chain normally trapped within the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Many apoptotic studies investigate mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) by monitoring the release of cytochrome c. Here, we describe three reliable techniques that detect cytochrome c release from mitochondria, through subcellular fractionation or immunocytochemistry and fluorescence microscopy, or isolated mitochondria and recombinant Bax and t-Bid proteins in vitro. These techniques will help to identify mechanisms and characterize factors regulating MOMP. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.

    Journal Title

    Methods

    Volume

    46

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2008

    Document Type

    Article

    First Page

    319

    Last Page

    323

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000261647200013

    ISSN

    1046-2023

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