Proteomic Analysis of Anticancer TCMs Targeted at Mitochondria

Figure 1

Modulation of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis pathways by natural compounds. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential () is maintained by permeability transition pore complex (PTPC). PTPC interacts with Bcl-2, contributing to the exchange of small metabolites between the cytosol and the mitochondrial matrix. When the cell suffers stimuli from natural compounds, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca²⁺ activates the PTPC, favored by its interaction with Bax, allowing small solutes to get into the mitochondrial matrix, resulting in decreased . This eventually leads to mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, where many cytotoxic proteins such as cytochrome c, diablo, and endonuclease G are released to cytoplasm, initiating apoptotic signaling.