Caspase inhibition prevents the mitochondrial release of apoptosis-inducing factor

Dear Editor,

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) was the first identified caspase-independent cell death effector.¹ However, despite a number of interesting studies implicating AIF in apoptosis (in vitro experiments with recombinant AIF, microinjection of neutralizing antibody, genetic invalidation, crystal structure, etc.)² its role as a caspase-independent effector remains unclear. Moreover, it was recently reported that the release of AIF occurs downstream of the release of cytochrome c in response to several proapoptotic stimuli,³ increasing the controversy about AIF.

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