P99999

Cytochrome c also known as somatic cytochrome c, CYCS is a small heme protein located in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Such localization allows cytochrome c to play a key role in the electron transport chain, transferring electrons between Complex III (cytochrome bc1 complex) and Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase), which is essential for ATP production during oxidative phosphorylation. cytochrome c′s position in the mitochondria enables participation in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis; upon release into the cytosol, cytochrome c interacts with apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) to form the apoptosome, leading to the activation of caspase-9 and downstream effector caspases like caspase-3. Release of cytochrome c from mitochondria is a pivotal event in programmed cell death, and dysregulation of this process is associated with diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.