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Comment
. 2018 Sep 3;37(17):e100340.
doi: 10.15252/embj.2018100340. Epub 2018 Aug 22.

MIM through MOM: the awakening of Bax and Bak pores

Katia Cosentino  1 , Ana J García-Sáez  1
Affiliations
Comment

MIM through MOM: the awakening of Bax and Bak pores

Katia Cosentino et al. EMBO J. .

Abstract

The mechanism whereby mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is released into the cytosol and activates the cGAS/STING inflammatory pathway during Bax/Bax‐mediated apoptosis is unknown. In this issue, Riley et al (2018) report that widening of Bax and Bak pores on the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) during apoptosis allows the extrusion of the mitochondrial inner membrane (MIM) into the cytosol and its permeabilization to release mtDNA independently of caspases. In this scenario, Bax and Bak emerge as key modulators of the apoptotic immunogenic response.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Kinetics of MOMP‐driven inflammation
Upon apoptotic stimuli, Bax and Bak permeabilize the MOM and induce the release of apoptotic factors, e.g. CytC. The consequent MIM permeabilization and the widening of Bax/Bak pores induce the release of mtDNA in the cytosol. This leads to the activation of the cGAS/STING signalling pathway and triggers a caspase‐independent immune response from dying cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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