Noxa induces apoptosis in oncogene-expressing cells through catch-and-release mechanism operating between Puma and Mcl-1

► Mechanism of synergistic activation of apoptosis by Noxa and Puma in the p53 tumor surveillance. ► Puma induced by E1A enhances susceptibility to apoptosis through “catch” in mitochondria by Mcl-1. ► DNA damage induces Noxa expression, resulting in the “release” of Puma from Mcl-1. ► Noxa-triggered Puma-mediated apoptosis may be a powerful target for cancer therapy.