Cytochrome c, a ~12 kDa heme protein, is associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane and serves as an essential component of the electron transfer chain. A large body of evidence suggests that mitochondria act as an important channel for signals associated with cell damage, and several key inducers of apoptosis promote the loss of mitochondrial integrity.The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria is a major event during apoptosis. Once released into the cytosol, it associates with Apaf-1 and ATP and undergoes oligomerization to form apoptosome. The apoptosome recruits and activates pro-caspase-9 which in turn can activate other caspases and trigger a cascade of events leading to apoptosis.

For a complete list of all antibodies, kits, and products associated with apoptosis please see our Apoptosis Interactive Pathway™ at www.calbiochem.com/apoptosis and our antibody resource page at www.calbiochem.com/antibody resource.