The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, also known as the intrinsic pathway, is one of the two main pathways of apoptosis, the other being the extrinsic pathway. This pathway is primarily regulated by the mitochondria and involves the release of pro-apoptotic factors into the cytosol. Key players in this pathway include the Bcl-2 family of proteins, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, and caspases. The intrinsic pathway is activated by internal stimuli such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, and exposure to toxic substances.
