Once triggered, it results in the diffusion of proteins from the space between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes into the cytosol.
[2] Initiation of MOMP involves Bcl-2 family proteins, including BAX and BAK.
During MOMP, it takes about five minutes for all mitochondrial membranes within a cell to permeabilize.
[3] MOMP has been referred to as the point of no return for apoptosis, almost always resulting in the completion of the process, and thus, cell death.
In minority MOMP, only a few mitochondria of the cell experience MOMP—the result of sublethal stress.