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MOMP, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization is a key event in apoptosis. What role do the apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins Bax and Bak play in MOMP?

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Final answer:

Bax and Bak are pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins that form channels in the mitochondrial outer membrane to release cytochrome C, triggering the caspase cascade and leading to apoptosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins Bax and Bak play a critical role in mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), which is a key event in apoptosis. These proteins are part of the Bcl-2 family and are known as pro-apoptotic members.

When apoptotic signals are received, Bax and Bak oligomerize and form channels in the mitochondrial outer membrane. This allows for the release of cytochrome C into the cytoplasm, a key step in the apoptosis cascade. The released cytochrome C binds to adaptor proteins and forms a complex that activates procaspases to caspases, the proteolytic enzymes responsible for the degradation of cellular components and the execution of apoptosis.

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