Kulikov AV, Shilov ES, Mufazalov IA, Gogvadze V, Nedospasov SA, Zhivotovsky B. Cytochrome c: the Achilles' heel in apoptosis.
Cell Mol Life Sci 2012;
69:1787-97. [PMID:
22179840 PMCID:
PMC11114681 DOI:
10.1007/s00018-011-0895-z]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2011] [Revised: 10/30/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Cytochrome c is a well-known mitochondrial protein that fulfills life-supporting functions by transferring electrons to the respiratory chain to maintain ATP production. However, during the activation of apoptotic machinery, it is released from mitochondria and, being in the cytosol, it either triggers the activation of the caspase cascade in intrinsic apoptotic pathway, or it is involved in the amplification of extrinsic apoptotic signaling. Accumulating evidence suggests that only unmodified holocytochrome c is efficient in the stimulation of apoptosis. Considering the importance of cytochrome c in both life and death, it was of significant interest to investigate the complete or partial cytochrome c deficiency in vivo. Here, we discuss the importance of distinct amino acid residues for various functions of cytochrome c in cells and mice with targeted cytochrome c mutations.
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