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Bax, a Proapoptotic Protein Forming Channels in Mitochondria

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Apoptosis and Cancer Chemotherapy

Part of the book series: Cancer Drug Discovery and Development ((CDD&D))

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Abstract

Bax is a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, with proapoptotic activity. In cells, the protein is found in the cytosol and in the mitochondrial membrane. At least in some cell types, a translocation from the cytosol to the mitochondria has been detected during apoptosis. The protein contains a hydrophobic C-terminal domain presumably involved in the membrane attachment. Bax can form ion channels in artificial lipid membranes: These can be described as multiconductance, pH-sensitive, voltage-sensitive channels with rather poor ion selectivity. Overexpression of Bax in cells, or addition of recombinant Bax protein to isolated mitochondria, triggers loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome-c, both early events during apoptosis.

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Authors
  1. Jean-Claude Martinou MD, PhD
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  2. Bruno Antonsson PhD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Research Campaign, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK

    John A. Hickman  & Caroline Dive  & 

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Martinou, JC., Antonsson, B. (1999). Bax, a Proapoptotic Protein Forming Channels in Mitochondria. In: Hickman, J.A., Dive, C. (eds) Apoptosis and Cancer Chemotherapy. Cancer Drug Discovery and Development. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-720-8_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-720-8_9

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-165-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-720-8

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