Figure 1.

Major molecular paths in mitochondria-related regulated cell death (RCD). Mitochondrial calcium overload and ROS levels can trigger either the activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathway (left side) through the recruitment of Bcl-2 family proteins at the mitochondria, or permeability transition pore complex (PTPC) formation which could lead to mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), energetic imbalance, and subsequent release of proapoptotic cofactors from the inter membrane space, such as SMAC/DIABLO, CytC, and ENDOG (right side).