The endoplasmic reticulum gateway to apoptosis by Bcl-XL modulation of the InsP3R

Members of the Bcl-2 protein family modulate outer mitochondrial membrane permeability to control apoptosis(1,2). However, these proteins also localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the functional significance of which is controversial(3,4). Here we provide evidence that anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins regulate the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP(3)R) ER Ca2+ release channel resulting in increased cellular apoptotic resistance and enhanced mitochondrial bioenergetics. Anti-apoptotic Bcl-X-L interacts with the carboxyl terminus of the InsP(3)R and sensitizes single InsP(3)R channels in ER membranes to low [InsP(3)], enhancing Ca2+ and InsP(3)-dependent regulation of channel activity in vitro and in vivo, reducing ER Ca2+ content and stimulating mitochondrial energetics. The pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and tBid antagonize this effect by blocking the biochemical interaction of Bcl-X-L with the InsP(3)R. These data support a novel model in which Bcl-X-L is a direct effector of the InsP(3)R, increasing its sensitivity to InsP(3) and enabling ER Ca2+ release to be more sensitively coupled to extracellular signals. As a consequence, cells are protected against apoptosis by a more sensitive and dynamic coupling of ER to mitochondria through Ca2+-dependent signal transduction that enhances cellular bioenergetics and preserves survival.