细胞凋亡的线粒体通路

Mitochondria are the bioenergetics and metabolic center of eucaryotic cells that carry out many important functions to sustain life. Recent biochemical studies revealed another aspect of mitochondrial function: inducing apoptosis by triggering specific biochemical reactions that lead to rapid disposal of damaged cells. In response to a variety of apoptotic stimuli, mitochondria release many apoptogenic proteins that normally reside in the intermembrane space of mitochondria. These studies suggest that mitochondria are dynamic responsive structures engaged incessantly in controlling metabolic and genetic interaction with other cellular organelles. Consequently, when cellular milieu is no longer conducive to maintaining homeostasis, either due to injury or developmental cues, mitochondria initiate apoptotic programs that efficiently demise the cell.