Title

Assessing mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization during apoptosis

Authors

Authors

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

Comments

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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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