线粒体在细胞凋亡中的介导作用

线粒体是细胞内产生能量的重要细胞器,被认为是细胞生存与死亡的调节中心。Bcl-2家族蛋白、内质网和溶酶体能引起线粒体膜通透性的改变,造成线粒体功能损伤,诱导细胞凋亡。本文主要综述线粒体在Bcl-2家族蛋白、内质网和溶酶体诱导细胞凋亡中作用的研究进展。     

线粒体PT孔与细胞凋亡

线粒体在细胞凋亡中有着重要作用,而线粒体PT孔开放是线粒体因素导致细胞凋亡的关键。促凋亡因素通过诱导PT孔的形成,导致线粒体膜电位丧失,使细胞色素C和凋亡诱导因子等释放进入细胞浆,启动细胞凋亡程序,诱导细胞凋亡。本文就目前线粒体PT孔的结构、可能的凋控机制及其在细胞凋亡中作用的研究进展进行综述。     

溶酶体与细胞凋亡

在特定条件下,包括活性氧、鞘氨醇、细胞凋亡效应因子Bax等在内的多种刺激因子均可诱发溶酶体膜通透,之后溶酶体内含的蛋白酶（如组织蛋白酶等）及其他水解酶从溶酶体释放至胞浆中,通过剪切效应分子、激活包括凋亡酶在内的其他水解酶而启动细胞凋亡程序的执行。简要概括了引发溶酶体膜通透的可能机制及溶酶体参与细胞凋亡的主要途径。     

脂滴与其他细胞器互作调控脂稳态的分子机制

随着影像技术的发展,越来越多的研究表明细胞器之间存在广泛的直接相互作用,其主要功能是参与物质运输、细胞器新生与生长、细胞器分裂与融合等.细胞器间的互作主要由定位于这些膜器表面的蛋白质分子相互作用介导,磷脂也在其中发挥作用.脂滴作为储存中性脂的细胞器,是细胞内脂质代谢的中心,同时对机体脂稳态的维持起着至关重要的作用.从脂...     

线粒体与细胞凋亡机制

细胞凋亡是生理性的细胞死亡过程,受到多种基因的精确调节,一类被统称为ｃａｓｐａｓｅ的半胱氨酸蛋白酶是细胞凋亡程序的执行者,综们被激活后作用于细胞内的一些蛋白质,经起细胞凋亡。线粒体中含有许多凋亡相关因子,在凋亡信号转导中起着重要作用。细胞受到凋亡刺激后,细胞色素ｃ、ＡＩＦ、ｃａｓｐａｓｅ－９等凋亡相关因子从线粒体中释放出来。细胞色素ｃ通过和Ａｐａｆ－１、ｃａｓｐａｓｅ－９相互作用,激活ｃａｓｐａｓ     

细胞凋亡与线粒体细胞色素c

１细胞色素ｃ在细胞凋亡中的作用Ｋｅｒｒ于１９７２年提出了细胞凋亡（ａｐｏｐｔｏｓｉｓ）,随后发现细胞凋亡现象普遍存在于各种生物中,与细胞的生长发育,免疫调节以及许多病变如肿瘤有直接关系。与细胞坏死不同,细胞凋亡是一个相对主动的过程,伴随着一系列形态上...     

线粒体与细胞凋亡

细胞凋亡是一种由基因控制的自主性死亡过程。近年来研究发现,线拉体在细胞凋亡过程中起重要作用,它可以通过改变膜通透性、释放凋亡活性物质等介导细胞凋亡。     

钙离子信号与细胞凋亡

细胞凋亡的分子机制是什么?这个问题当前引起人们广泛的研究兴趣。作为重要的第二信使,钙信号在许多生理和细胞活动中都起到了十分重要的作用。钙信号是否也在凋亡的调控中起作用呢?虽然在过去十多年中,许多研究证据都表明钙信号参与凋亡的调控,但是,钙信号如何作用于凋亡过程的具体机理仍然是众说纷纭。事实上,许多研究结果仍存有争议。文章总结了近几年来大量关于钙信号与凋亡研究的成果,集中讨论了两个问题：1)在凋亡前期“决定阶段”有没有钙离子信号的参与?2)钙离子信号与哪些凋亡调控因子(包括Bcl-2族蛋白)相互作用及如何作用?这问题还牵涉到亚细胞结构中钙库的作用(包括细胞质、内质网和线粒体)。根据作者自己的实验结果,文章对这些文献中不同的说法作了一些具体的评估。最后,文章还提出了一个钙离子信号参与调控细胞凋亡的可能模型。     

线粒体与细胞凋亡

细胞凋亡是一种重要生物学过程,在细胞生长发育以及对外界刺激的反应中有关键的作用。近年来发现线粒体跨膜电位与线粒体通透性改变在细胞凋亡过程中起重要作用。并且提出了线业体通透性改变孔道复合物的假说,引起广泛的注意,本文谨作一简单介绍。     

Ca transfer from the ER to mitochondria: When, how and why

The heterogenous subcellular distribution of a wide array of channels, pumps and exchangers allows extracellular stimuli to induce increases in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_c) with highly defined spatial and temporal patterns, that in turn induce specific cellular responses (e.g. contraction, secretion, proliferation or cell death). In this extreme complexity, the role of mitochondria was considered marginal, till the direct measurement with targeted indicators allowed to appreciate that rapid and large increases of the [Ca²⁺] in the mitochondrial matrix ([Ca²⁺]_m) invariably follow the cytosolic rises. Given the low affinity of the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ transporters, the close proximity to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca²⁺-releasing channels was shown to be responsible for the prompt responsiveness of mitochondria. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of: i) the mitochondrial and ER Ca²⁺ channels mediating the ion transfer, ii) the structural and molecular foundations of the signaling contacts between the two organelles, iii) the functional consequences of the [Ca²⁺]_m increases, and iv) the effects of oncogene-mediated signals on mitochondrial Ca²⁺ homeostasis. Despite the rapid progress carried out in the latest years, a deeper molecular understanding is still needed to unlock the secrets of Ca²⁺ signaling machinery.     

Electron microscope studies of Fasciola hepatica. XI. Autophagy and parenchymal cell function

An electron microscope study of the function of parenchymal cells in Fasciola hepatica in relation to glycogen storage and metabolism was undertaken.Although no evidence of a relationship between morphological changes in parenchymal cells and glycogen was apparent, a correlation between glycogen depletion and autophagy was observed. The autophagic process started with the synthesis and “budding off” of membranes by mitochondria to form small vesicles (M bodies), either of a simple type (limited by a single membrane) or a complex type (limited by two or more membranes). These M bodies fused to form narrow, smooth cisternae (SCM), which wrapped around areas of cytoplasm containing glycogen; this process gave rise to β bodies. The β bodies (autophagosomes) were at first irregular in shape and limited by two or more membranes separated by a space of varied width. Older β bodies became more smooth and oval in outline and were limited by a single membrane due to membrane fusion. Primary lysosomes synthesized by the GER-GA system united with the late β bodies and formed secondary lysosomes (autolysosomes). Following the addition of these lysosomal hydrolases, the glycogen content of the autolysosomes was reduced and eventually disappeared. This resulted in the develpment of residual bodies containing unhydrolysed material in the form of dense granules, tubules, and myelin figures in a matrix of varied density.It was concluded that at least some glycogen in the parenchymal cells of F. hepatica is mobilized by autophagy. All the morphological structures observed in the experimental material were also present in controls, although in fewer numbers, and it is believed that autophagy is a normal process in this fluke.     

Mitochondrion-targeted apoptosis regulators of viral origin

During coevolution with their hosts, viruses have "learned" to intercept or to activate the principal signal transducing pathways leading to cell death. A number of proteins from pathophysiologically relevant viruses are targeted to mitochondria and regulate (induce or inhibit) the apoptosis-associated permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes. Such proteins are encoded by human immunodeficiency virus 1, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, human T-cell leukemia virus-1, hepatitis B virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein Barr virus, among others. Within mitochondria, such apoptosis regulators from viral origin can target distinct proteins from the Bcl-2 family and the permeability transition pore complex including the adenine nucleotide translocase, cyclophilin D, the voltage-dependent anion channel, and the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor. Thus, viral proteins can regulate apoptosis at the mitochondrial level by acting on a variety of different targets.     

Multiple cell death programs: Charon's lifts to Hades

Cells use different pathways for active self-destruction as reflected by different morphology: while in apoptosis (or "type I") nuclear fragmentation associated with cytoplasmic condensation but preservation of organelles is predominant, autophagic degradation of cytoplasmic structures preceding nuclear collapse is a characteristic of a second type of programmed cell death (PCD). The diverse morphologies can be attributed--at least to some extent--to distinct biochemical and molecular events (e.g. caspase-dependent and -independent death programs; DAP-kinase activity, Ras-expression). However, apoptosis and autophagic PCD are not mutually exclusive phenomena. Rather, diverse PCD programs emerged during evolution, the conservation of which apparently allows cells a flexible response to environmental changes, either physiological or pathological.     

Regulation of plasma membrane calcium fluxes by mitochondria

The role of mitochondria in cell signaling is becoming increasingly apparent, to an extent that the signaling role of mitochondria appears to have stolen the spotlight from their primary function as energy producers. In this chapter, we will review the ionic basis of calcium handling by mitochondria and discuss the mechanisms that these organelles use to regulate the activity of plasma membrane calcium channels and transporters.     

BLOC1S2 interacts with the HIPPI protein and sensitizes NCH89 glioblastoma cells to apoptosis

The HIPPI (HIP-1 protein interactor) protein is a multifunctional protein that is involved in the regulation of apoptosis. The interaction partners of HIPPI include HIP-1 (Huntingtin-interacting protein-1), Apoptin, Homer1c, Rybp/DEDAF, and BAR (bifunctional apoptosis regulator). In search for other binding partners of HIPPI, we performed a yeast two hybrid screen and identified BLOC1S2 (Biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex-1 subunit 2) as a novel HIPPI-interacting protein. In co-immunoprecipitation assays, BLOC1S2 specifically associates with HIPPI, but not with HIP-1. To study the expression of BLOC1S2 on the protein level, we generated a mouse monoclonal antibody specific for BLOC1S2 and a multiple tissue array comprising 70 normal and cancer tissue samples of diverse origin. BLOC1S2 protein is widely expressed in normal tissue as well as in malignant tumors with a tendency towards lower expression levels in certain subtypes of tumors. On the subcellular level, BLOC1S2 is expressed in an organellar-like pattern and co-localizes with mitochondria. Over-expression of BLOC1S2 in the presence or absence of HIPPI does not induce apoptosis. However, BLOC1S2 and HIPPI sensitize NCH89 glioblastoma cells to the pro-apoptotic actions of staurosporine and the death ligand TRAIL by enhancing caspase activation, cytochrome c release, and disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Given its interaction with HIPPI and its pro-apoptotic activity, BLOC1S2 might play an important functional role in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.     

In vitro analysis of Bcl-2 proteins in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum: similarities in anti-apoptotic functions and differences in regulation

Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 localizes in the membranes of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and resists a broad range of apoptotic stimuli. However, the precise function of Bcl-2 in ER is still unclear. We herein examined the anti-apoptotic potencies of Bcl-2 in mitochondria and ER in vitro. The mitochondria isolated from HeLa cells, which have little or practically no Bcl-2, were apoptosis-competent. That is, membrane-bound Bax was activated and cytochrome c was released when the isolated mitochondria were incubated at 35 degrees C. Cytochrome c release from the apoptosis-competent mitochondria was suppressed by co-incubation with the mitochondria with overexpressed Bcl-2 (Bcl-2 mitochondria), suggesting that Bcl-2 anchored in one mitochondrion can suppress cytochrome c release from another mitochondrion. Similar results were obtained when microsomes with overexpressed Bcl-2 (Bcl-2 microsomes) were co-incubated with apoptosis-competent mitochondria. A quantitative titration analysis showed that Bcl-2 in the ER suppresses cytochrome c release as efficiently as that in the mitochondria. An immunoprecipitation assay showed that Bcl-2 in both mitochondria and ER binds to Bax at almost the same degree. However, in the presence of tBid, co-incubation of apoptosis-competent mitochondria with Bcl-2 microsomes, but not with Bcl-2 mitochondria, diminished the Bax-binding to Bcl-2 significantly, suggesting that Bcl-2 in ER is readily inactivated by tBid. Co-incubation assay further confirmed that Bcl-2 in the ER, but not Bcl-2 in the mitochondria, is potentially inactivated by tBid. Our quantitative in vitro studies indicate that Bcl-2 in mitochondria and ER are similarly potent in inhibiting Bax-associated apoptosis of other mitochondria, but are regulated by tBid differently.     

Mitochondria,oxidative stress and cell death

In addition to the well-established role of the mitochondria in energy metabolism, regulation of cell death has recently emerged as a second major function of these organelles. This, in turn, seems to be intimately linked to their role as the major intracellular source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are mainly generated at Complex I and III of the respiratory chain. Excessive ROS production can lead to oxidation of macromolecules and has been implicated in mtDNA mutations, ageing, and cell death. Mitochondria-generated ROS play an important role in the release of cytochrome c and other pro-apoptotic proteins, which can trigger caspase activation and apoptosis. Cytochrome c release occurs by a two-step process that is initiated by the dissociation of the hemoprotein from its binding to cardiolipin, which anchors it to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Oxidation of cardiolipin reduces cytochrome c binding and results in an increased level of “free” cytochrome c in the intermembrane space. Conversely, mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes protect from apoptosis. Hence, there is accumulating evidence supporting a direct link between mitochondria, oxidative stress and cell death.