ROLE of MITOCHONDRIA in TOXIC OXIDATIVE STRESS

Regulation of cytochromecrelease from mitochondria. The mitochondrial outer membrane is permeabilized by tBid, which promotes the oligomerization and insertion of Bax and Bak. Cytochrome c release is initiated by the dissociation of the hemoprotein from its binding to cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is stimulated by cardiolipin peroxidation (which is mediated by ROS). Once released into the cytosol, cytochrome c triggers pro-caspase-activation via the apoptosome mechanism.