AIFM1 and brain ischemia: Bcl-xl is another anti-apoptotic protein that inhibits the release of Cytc, endonuclease G, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria [24], while during cerebral ischemia, the pro-apoptotic protein Bax is activated and transferred to the mitochondria, resulting in increased mitochondrial membrane permeability and subsequent Cytc release [25].