What event signals the point of no return in the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway?
Answer
Permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane.
The permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane is considered the hallmark event in the intrinsic pathway, allowing pro-apoptotic proteins stored in the intermembrane space to leak out.
Related Questions
What critical feature distinguishes apoptosis from necrosis?What molecules initiate the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis?What event signals the point of no return in the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway?Which large structure is formed when released Cytochrome c binds to Apaf-1 and dATP?What complex is assembled upon ligand binding in the extrinsic pathway?How do executioner caspases directly cause DNA fragmentation during apoptosis?Which members of the Bcl-2 family function as pro-apoptotic effectors forming pores in the mitochondrial membrane?Which condition is listed as a key internal stressor activating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway?How does the extrinsic pathway amplify its signal through the intrinsic pathway?What consequence is associated with the inappropriate dominance of anti-apoptotic signals like Bcl-2 overexpression?