Cited by 326Cell death mechanisms and regulationMitochondrial Function and PathologyAutophagy in Disease and Therapy

Mitochondria—Judges and Executioners of Cell Death Sentences

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Bhola, Patrick D., Letai, Anthony·2016·Molecular Cell

Abstract

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is critical for basic human development and physiology. One of the more important surprises in cell biology in the last two decades is the extent to which mitochondria represent a physical point of convergence for many apoptosis-inducing signals in mammalian cells. Mitochondria not only adjudicate the decision of whether or not to commit to cell death, but also release toxic proteins culminating in widespread proteolysis, nucleolysis, and cell engulfment. Interactions among BCL-2 family proteins at the mitochondrial outer membrane control the release of these toxic proteins and, by extension, control cellular commitment to apoptosis. This pathway is particularly relevant to cancer treatment, as most cancer chemotherapies trigger mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in the BCL-2 family interactions, their control by upstream factors, and how the mitochondria itself alters these interactions. We also highlight recent clinical insights into mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and novel cancer therapies that exploit this pathway.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.molcel.2016.02.019

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  • Different BH3-only proteins preferentially bind specific anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members (e.g., BID, BIM, and PUMA potently bind all anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members; BAD preferentially interacts with BCL2, BCL-XL, and BCL-W; NOXA preferentially inhibits MCL1; and HRK preferentially inhibits BCL-XL).

    “Different BH3-only proteins have been suggested to preferentially bind specific anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members (e.g., BID, BIM, and PUMA potently bind all anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members; BAD preferentially interacts with BCL2, BCL-XL, and BCL-W; NOXA preferentially inhibits MCL1; and HRK preferentially inhibits BCL-XL) [57, 113, 114].”

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Authors
Bhola, P. D., & Letai, A.
Affiliations
Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
Letai, Anthony
Venue
Molecular Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-03
Volume
61
Issue
5
Pages
695-704
ISSN
1097-2765 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2289284908
Cited by
326
References
140
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 24
FWCI
4.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Cancer Institute (R21CA188858, P01CA066996)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Cell death mechanisms and regulation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
Keywords
apoptosis, mitochondria, Bcl-2 family proteins, mitochondrial outer membrane, programmed cell death, cancer chemotherapy, cancer therapy
MeSH terms
Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore, Animals, Antineoplastic Agents, Humans, Mitochondria, Neoplasms, Permeability, Protein Binding, Signal Transduction, Apoptosis, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2, Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins, Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins, Mitochondrial Membranes, Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs, Molecular Targeted Therapy

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