Abstract
Regulation of cell life and death by members of the BCL-2 family of proteins occurs at the mitochondria. Large portions of the mitochondria's outer membrane are found in tight approximation with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), known as mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) or mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCs). We recently reported that BOK is present within MAMs where it regulates Ca(2+) transfer from the ER to the mitochondria, appropriate MAM components and MERC structure, and apoptosis.