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Bax monomers form dimer units in the membrane that further self-assemble into multiple oligomeric species.


ABSTRACT: Bax is a key regulator of apoptosis that mediates the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol via oligomerization in the outer mitochondrial membrane before pore formation. However, the molecular mechanism of Bax assembly and regulation by other Bcl-2 members remains obscure. Here, by analysing the stoichiometry of Bax oligomers at the single-molecule level, we find that Bax binds to the membrane in a monomeric state and then self-assembles in <1?min. Strikingly, active Bax does not exist in a unique oligomeric state, but as several different species based on dimer units. Moreover, we show that cBid activates Bax without affecting its assembly, while Bcl-xL induces the dissociation of Bax oligomers. On the basis of our experimental data and theoretical modelling, we propose a new mechanism for the molecular pathway of Bax assembly to form the apoptotic pore.

SUBMITTER: Subburaj Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4557355 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Bax monomers form dimer units in the membrane that further self-assemble into multiple oligomeric species.

Subburaj Yamunadevi Y   Cosentino Katia K   Axmann Markus M   Pedrueza-Villalmanzo Esteban E   Hermann Eduard E   Bleicken Stephanie S   Spatz Joachim J   García-Sáez Ana J AJ  

Nature communications 20150814


Bax is a key regulator of apoptosis that mediates the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol via oligomerization in the outer mitochondrial membrane before pore formation. However, the molecular mechanism of Bax assembly and regulation by other Bcl-2 members remains obscure. Here, by analysing the stoichiometry of Bax oligomers at the single-molecule level, we find that Bax binds to the membrane in a monomeric state and then self-assembles in <1 min. Strikingly, active Bax does not exist in a un  ...[more]

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