Title

New Insights Into Mitochondrial Structure During Cell Death

Keywords

Apoptosis; Cardiolipin; Crista junction; Cristae remodeling; Cytochrome c; Electron tomography; Mitochondria; Neurodegeneration; OPA1

Abstract

Mitochondria play a pivotal role in the cascade of events associated with cell death pathways that are involved with several forms of neurodegeneration. Recent findings show that in the Bax/Bak-dependent pathway of apoptosis, the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria is a consequence of two carefully coordinated events: opening of crista junctions triggered by OPA1 oligomer disassembly and formation of outer membrane pores. Both steps are necessary for the complete release of pro-apoptotic proteins. The remodeling of mitochondrial structure accompanies this pathway, including mitochondrial fission, and cristae and crista junction alterations. Yet, there is controversy surrounding the timing of certain remodeling events and whether they are necessary early events required for the release of pro-apoptotic factors or are simply a downstream after-effect. Here, we analyze the current knowledge of mitochondrial remodeling during cell death and discuss what structural alterations occur to this organelle during neurodegeneration, focusing on the higher resolution structural correlates obtained by electron microscopy and electron tomography. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publication Date

8-1-2009

Publication Title

Experimental Neurology

Volume

218

Issue

2

Number of Pages

183-192

Document Type

Review

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.05.021

Socpus ID

67649794783 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/67649794783

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