Changes of mitochondria and relocation of the Apoptosis Inducing Factor (AIF) during apoptosis

During apoptosis, AIF (Apoptosis Inducing Factor) is released from the mitochondrial intermembrane space to the cytosol and to the nucleus We analyzed AIF in HeLa cells driven to apoptosis by either etoposide or actinomycin D, and we observed changes in the structure and function of mitochondria, as well as the translocation of citochrome c and AIF from mitochondria to the nucleus in early apoptosis In cells with fragmented chromatin, ie in late apoptosis, the immunolabeling for AIF appeared to be distinct from chromatin, being mainly confined to mitochondria