Synonyms
MMP
Definition
During apoptosis, many signals can converge to the mitochondrion to trigger the so-called mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP), a rate-limiting step in the execution of the death process. These signals are mainly endogenous proteins, which translocate from an intracellular compartment (e.g. nucleus, cytosol, lysosomes, etc) to the mitochondrial outer membrane (OM). Accumulation of modified lipids (e.g. oxidized cardiolipin, ceramide, etc) and ions (e.g. Ca2+) by the mitochondrion can also influence MMP. Moreover, the intracellular milieu, such as pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ATP levels can contribute to define a permissive environment for MMP execution. Once initiated, MMP leads to the release of intermembranespace factors into the cytosol, caspase-dependent proteins, such as cytochrome c, Smac/DIABLO, pro-caspases and caspase-independent proteins such as apoptosis-inducing factor, AIF, and EndoG. The major consequence of these protein...
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Kroemer G, Galuzzi L, Brenner C (2007) MMP and cell death. Physiol Rev 87:99–163
Kim H, Rafiuddin-Shah M, Tu HC et al. (2006) Hierarchical regulation of mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis by BCL-2 subfamilies. Nat Cell Biol. 8:1348–1358
Reed JC (2003) Apoptosis-targeted therapies for cancer. Cancer Cell 3:17–22
Marzo I, Brenner C, Zamzami N et al. (1998) Bax and adenine nucleotide translocator cooperate in the mitochondrial control of apoptosis. Science 28:27–31
Zamzami N, Marchetti P, Castedo M et al. (1995) Sequential reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and generation of reactive oxygen species in early programmed cell death. J Exp Med 182:367–377
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York
About this entry
Cite this entry
Brenner, C. (2008). Mitochondrial Membrane Permeabilization in Apoptosis. In: Schwab, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-47648-1_3767
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-47648-1_3767
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-36847-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-47648-1
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences