The relationship between AIF and apoptosis and colorectal cancer related to AIF

Abstract

Numerous pro-apoptotic signal transducing molecules act on mitochondria and provoke the permeabilization of the outer mitochoudrial membrane, thereby triggering the release of pro-apoptotic proteins potentially. One of them is much important,which called apoptosis inducing factor（AIF）. Upon lethal signaling,AIF released from mitochondria, which translocates, via the cytosol to the nucleus,where it binds to DNA and provokes Caspase-independent chromatin condensation and leading to apoptosis. It has been found gradually that AIF has impotant effect in some malignant cancer cells （such as colorectal carcinoma cell）, especially its regnlation effect in cell death. Recently some of researches indicate that inducing cell apoptosis by effecting on the releasing or expressing of AIF, has been a new research direction of colorectal carcinoma therapy. Key words: Apoptosis inducing factor; Apoptosis; Colorectal neoplasms; Mitochondria; Caspases