Question

In the intrinsic pathway to apoptosis, Bax and Bak proteins aggregate and from pores across the mitochondrial outer membrane, allowing the release of ____________ from the intermembrane space.

Answer 1

Cytochrome C is released from the mitochondrial intermembrane space during the intrinsic pathway to apoptosis, leading to the activation of caspases that initiate cell auto-digestion.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the intrinsic pathway to apoptosis, Bax and Bak proteins aggregate and form pores across the mitochondrial outer membrane, allowing the release of cytochrome C from the intermembrane space. Cytochrome C is a peripheral membrane protein that exists in equilibrium between membrane-bound and unbound states. Once released into the cytosol, cytochrome C binds to adaptor proteins, leading to the formation of a complex that activates procaspases into active caspases, which are proteolytic enzymes responsible for initiating the auto-digestion of the cell.