The channel of death

The proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family have been proposed to particip ate in the formation of a channel that releases these apoptogenic factors w hen mitochondria receive apoptotic signals. A recent study provides the fir st direct, biophysical measurement of a potentially apoptosis-specific mito chondrial channel, which is regulated by Bcl-2 family members and may play a primary role in the release of the proapoptotic factors.