Abstract: Apoptosis, a form of intrinsic cellular suicide program, is closed related with the occurrence and development of cancer or neurodegenerative diseases. The current study confirmed that mitochondria is the cener place of apoptosis proceeding, and mitochondrial pathway is an important pathway of apoptosis. Some mitochondrial-associated proteins, such as: Bcl-2 family proteins, apoptosis-inducing factor, Cytochrome C, etc, play an important role in the process of apoptosis respectively. Meanwhile, these proteins can cross-talk and regulate apoptosis coordinately. In this review, the focus will be put on the main mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins and their latest research.

Key words: apoptosis, mitochondria, apoptosis protein