Mitochondrial UCP4 and bcl-2 expression in imprints of breast carcinomas: relationship with DNA ploidy and classical prognostic factors.

Mitochondria are the bioenergetic and metabolic centers of cells and play an important role in the regulation of cell death. The mitochondrial apoptosis pathway is controlled by the bcl-2 protein family. Overexpression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 4 (UCP4) can promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis and differentiation.