RESUMEN

Pro-apoptotic Bax induces mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) by forming oligomers through a largely undefined process. Using site-specific disulfide crosslinking, compartment-specific chemical labeling, and mutational analysis, we found that activated integral membrane Bax proteins form a BH3-in-groove dimer interface on the MOM surface similar to that observed in crystals. However, after the α5 helix was released into the MOM, the remaining interface with α2, α3, and α4 helices was rearranged. Another dimer interface was formed inside the MOM by two intersected or parallel α9 helices. Combinations of these interfaces generated oligomers in the MOM. Oligomerization was initiated by BH3-in-groove dimerization, without which neither the other dimerizations nor MOMP occurred. In contrast, α9 dimerization occurred downstream and was required for release of large but not small proteins from mitochondria. Moreover, the release of large proteins was facilitated by α9 insertion into the MOM and localization to the pore rim. Therefore, the BH3-in-groove dimerization on the MOM nucleates the assembly of an oligomeric Bax pore that is enlarged by α9 dimerization at the rim.

Asunto(s)

Membranas Mitocondriales/metabolismo , Proteína X Asociada a bcl-2/metabolismo , Animales , Apoptosis/genética , Apoptosis/fisiología , Línea Celular , Dimerización , Inmunoprecipitación , Unión Proteica , Proteína Destructora del Antagonista Homólogo bcl-2/genética , Proteína Destructora del Antagonista Homólogo bcl-2/metabolismo , Proteína X Asociada a bcl-2/genética

RESUMEN

The Bcl-2 proteins Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and Bcl-2 antagonist killer 1 (Bak) can commit cells to apoptosis. Retrotranslocation of Bax from the mitochondria into the cytosol is essential for cell survival. Recently, we reported that Bak is also present in the cytosol of healthy cells and that Bax and Bak are regulated by the same retrotranslocation process.