FIGURE 2 | Common strategies that control the onset of cell death.

a | The interactions between the eukaryotic proteins Bax and Bcl-2 within the mitochondria are central to the control of apoptosis. Bax oligomerization within the outer mitochondrial membrane (OM) leads to the disruption of this membrane, the release of proteins (cytochrome c) that trigger the caspase cascade within the cytoplasm and cellular disassembly. The homologous Bcl-2 protein inhibits Bax oligomerization and, thus, prevents apoptosis. b | The Staphylococcus aureus proteins CidA and LrgA are believed to function as a holin and antiholin, respectively. Holins oligomerize within the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane causing cell death and, by virtue of their effects on murein hydrolase activity, cell lysis. Antiholins are homologous proteins that inhibit holin oligomerization and, thus, prevent bacterial death and lysis. IM, inner mitochondrial membrane.

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