The recent data on redox regulation of the mitochondrial cyclosporin-s
ensitive pore are reviewed here. They indicate that the pore is modula
ted by the redox state of pyridine nucleotides and glutathione at two
independent sites. Special attention is paid to experimental approache
s for studying this phenomenon in isolated mitochondria. The relation
between oxidative stress and the opening of the mitochondrial pore in
some cases of cell injury and in programmed cell death (apoptosis) is
discussed.