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Bax-mediated permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane and release of apoptogenic factors into the cytosol are key events that occur during apoptosis. Likewise, apoptosis is associated with permeabilization of the lysosomal membrane and release of lysosomal cathepsins into the cytosol. This report identifies proteolytically active cathepsin D as an important component of apoptotic signaling following lysosomal membrane permeabilization in fibroblasts. Lysosome-mediated cell death is associated with degradation of Bax sequestering 14-3-3 proteins, cleavage of the Box activator Bid, and translocation of Box to mitochondria, all of which were cathepsin D-dependent. Processing of Bid could be reproduced by enforced lysosomal membrane permeabilization, using the lysosomotropic detergent O-methyl-serine dodecylamine hydrochloride (MSDH). We identified three cathepsin D-specific cleavage sites in Bid, Phe24, Trp48, and Phe183. Cathepsin D-cleaved Bid induced Bax-mediated release of cytochrome c from purified mitochondria, indicating that the fragments generated are functionally active. Moreover, apoptosis was associated with cytosolic acidification, thereby providing a more favorable environment for the cathepsin D-mediated cleavage of Bid. Our study suggests that cytosolic cathepsin D triggers Bax-mediated cytochrome c release by proteolytic activation of Bid., Funding Agencies|Swedish Cancer Society||Swedish Research Council||Swedish Society for Medical Research||County Council of Ostergotland||foundation of Lars Hierta||foundation of Tore Nilson||foundation of Magn||foundation of Bergvall||foundation of Stohne||foundation of Hedberg||The original title of this article in Manuscript was: Cathepsin D-specific processing of Bid at Phe24, Trp48, and Phe183

he abundant presence of cardiolipin (CL) in mitochondria membranes has given rise to the suspicion that this lipid play be an essential role in triggering cell apoptosis, possibly by mechanically destabilizing the host membrane and thus enhancing the effect of the tBid apoptosis protein. Therefore the mechanical effect of the presence of CL in model bilayer membranes was investigated by a combination of micromechanical deformation studies and differential calorimetry (DSC). The calorimetry data are not easy to interpret due to the continuous chemical decay of the system upon hydrolysis. The induction of hexagonal phases was not observed in the low contents regime (CL<5%). From the initial scans of the fresh samples, a phase diagram could be constructed (CL <5%) that exhibits a continuous increase of melting temperatures as CL contents increases and that is accompanied by a loss in transition collaborativity. Giant vesicles as used for micromanipulation seemed to be stable for hours; light scattering on extruded vesicles revealed a conflicting result and showed a preference of stable radii of ~80nm independent on the initial preparation radius. The high shearing forces during extrusion may make use of a general CL induced instability and kick the system into a favourite curvature conformation. The presence of CL seems to make membranes more expandable at essentially constant limiting tension. As the protein adsorbs to the interface, the expansion modulus is apparently increased, both in the presence and absence of CL. We interpret this as a formation of patches of protein-lipid clusters that in effect reduce the amount of expandable fluid membrane area. The rupture tension falls significantly as soon as tBid is present on the outer vesicle membrane.