CHCHD2 connects mitochondrial metabolism to apoptosis

Abstract

As the powerhouse of cells and gatekeeper for apoptosis, mitochondria control life and death. CHCHD2, a mitochondrial protein previously known to regulate metabolism, has recently been identified as an apoptosis inhibitor. New data suggest a model in which CHCHD2 performs a prosurvival function by acting as both a reactive oxygen species scavenger and BCL-XL activator.