Cavitation of embryoid bodies requires optimal oxidative phosphorylation and AIF

Dear Editor,

Apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), which is encoded by the pcd8 gene on the X chromosome, is a protein that is normally present in mitochondria.^{1, 2} The AIF flavoprotein can participate in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species,³ and normal AIF levels are required for the assembly and/or maintenance of the complex I of the respiratory chain.⁴ Thus, AIF-deficient human and mouse cells manifest a reduced abundance and function of complex I that may results from a deficient antioxidant defense in mitochondria.⁵ Upon outer mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, a process that generally occurs during apoptosis,⁶ AIF translocates from mitochondria via the cytosol to the nucleus where it participates in apoptotic chromatin condensation, presumably through a direct interaction with DNA.⁴ AIF can also participate in apoptotic chromatinolysis, presumably by recruiting catabolic enzymes to the so-called degradosome.⁷

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