The membrane insertion of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax is a Tom22-dependent multi-step process: a study in nanodiscs.

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses the process of Bax membrane insertion, a pro-apoptotic protein, in the presence of nanodiscs. The study found that Bax was not spontaneously inserted in nanodiscs, but co-synthesis with the mitochondrial receptor Tom22 promoted its insertion. The interaction of Bax with the lipid bilayer exposed a specific motif, which was recognized by Tom22 and led to conformational changes and membrane insertion. Certain substitutions in Bax affected its insertion, and the study also discussed the regulation of Bax membrane insertion by Tom22 and BH3-activators. This research has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]