BAX supports the mitochondrial network, promoting bioenergetics in nonapoptotic cells.

The dual functionality of the tumor suppressor BAX is implied by the nonapoptotic functions of other members of the BCL-2 family. To explore this, mitochondrial metabolism was examined in BAX-deficient HCT-116 cells as well as primary hepatocytes from BAX-deficient mice. Although mitochondrial density and mitochondrial DNA content were the same in BAX-containing and BAX-deficient cells, MitoTracker staining patterns differed, suggesting the existence of BAX-dependent functional differences in mitochondrial physiology.