Cytochrome c/CYCS Protein, Human (His)

Cytochrome c/CYCS protein, as a core component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, is responsible for transferring electrons between cytochrome c reductase and oxidase, driving the oxidative phosphorylation process and ATP synthesis. In addition to its role in electron transport, Cytochrome c also plays a significant role in apoptosis. Upon stimulation by apoptotic signals, Cytochrome c is released from the mitochondrial intermembrane space into the cytoplasm, where it binds to APAF-1 to form an apoptosome, initiating the caspase cascade and inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, Cytochrome c is involved in the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, maintaining intracellular redox balance through antioxidant mechanisms. As a central molecule linking mitochondrial energy metabolism and apoptosis, Cytochrome c plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes^[1].

Cytochrome c (10-20 μM; 0-150 min) can induce apoptosis in multiple cell types, such as normal rat renal epithelial cells, adrenocortical Y-1 tumor cells, mouse embryonic Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, and IPC-81 leukemia cells^[2].
Cytochrome c (5 μM; 3 min-15 h) increases K+ currents, and induces apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells^[3].