Upon its release from the mitochondrial intermembrane space, cytochrome c (CYSC) binds to and causes an ATP-mediated conformational change in the cytoplasmic adaptor protein apoptotic protease‑activating factor 1 (APAF1). This conformational change triggers the formation of procaspase-9-activating oligomeric protein complex named apoptosome. The active caspase‑9 holoenzyme activates downstream effector caspases‑3 and ‑7. The activated effector caspases then cleave various cellular proteins.
Martin, AG, Wells, JA, Nguyen, J, Fearnhead, HO
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