Interplay of apoptosis regulating Bcl-2 proteins at mitochondrial membranes upon oxidative stress

Mitochondria are not only the powerhouse of the cell, but are also involved in cellular suicide via apoptosis (programmed cell death). This pathway is a major regulator in cell death where pro- and anti-survival Bcl-2 proteins meet at the mitochondrial outer membrane and decide the fate of a cell. Treatment-resistant tumour cells often possess mitochondria which are enriched in the pro-survival Bcl-2 membrane protein which blocks any killing (anti-survival) protein like BAX. Based on recent NR studies we will now investigate how the killer Bax protein interacts with mitochondrial-like membranes upon oxidative stress and how it will be inhibited in the presence of pro-survival Bcl-2 protein there. Information about this key protein complex is essential to understand the regulation of the cell's fate: why do healthy cells survive, damaged cells get removed and cancer cells escape.