¹Department of Cell Biology, University of Geneva, 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, Geneva, Switzerland

Correspondence: J-C Martinou, Department of Cell Biology, University of Geneva, Sciences III, 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. Tel: +41 22 379 64 43; Fax: +41 22 379 64 42; E-mail: jean-claude.martinou@cellbio.unige.ch

Received 4 July 2007; Revised 2 October 2007; Accepted 22 October 2007; Published online 14 December 2007.

Abstract

Activation of Bax or Bak is essential for the completion of many apoptotic programmes. Under cytotoxic conditions, these proteins undergo a series of conformational rearrangements that end up with their oligomerization. We found that unlike inactive monomeric Bax, active oligomerized Bax is partially resistant to trypsin digestion, providing a convenient read out to monitor Bax activation. Using this assay, we studied how the lipid composition of membranes affects tBid-induced Bax activation in vitro with pure liposomes. We report that Bax activation is inhibited by cholesterol and by decreases in membrane fluidity. This observation was further tested in vivo using the drug U18666A, which we found increases mitochondrial cholesterol levels. When incubated with tBid, mitochondria isolated from U18666A-treated cells showed a delay in the release of Smac/Diablo and Cytochrome c, as well as in Bax oligomerization. Moreover, pre-incubation with U18666A partially protected cells from stress-induced apoptosis. As many tumours display high mitochondrial cholesterol content, inefficient Bax oligomerization might contribute to their resistance to apoptosis-inducing agents.