Abstract: Impairment of neuronal mitochondria following hypoxia of brain not only result in nerve cell's energy-deprivation and dysfunction,mitochondria also play key roles in apoptosis of neurons.A central step being the release of cytochrome c(cyt c)across the outer mitochondrial membrane into the cytoplasm through opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore.Releasing of cytochrome c induce to downstream consequences of specific caspase activation.The antiapoptotic and proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2family regulate mitochondrial activities relevant to apoptotic signaling by influencing the realaseing of cyt c.

Key words: hypoxia of brain, apoptosis of neuron, mitochondria, cytochrome c, Bcl-2