Bax, Bid and the permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane in apoptosis

Mitochondria provide a key amplification step in the apoptotic pathway of m any cells by releasing apoptogenic proteins into the cytosol. Recent studie s have provided insights into how Bar and Bid may operate synergistically t o recruit mitochondria into the pathway and how GD3 ganglioside, a metaboli te of the sphingomyelin pathway, may also be used. In ischaemic disease, ac tivation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pare may bypass the r equirement for these factors.