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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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
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