GO:0043293

A multisubunit protein complex involved in the signaling phase of the apoptotic process. In mammals it is typically composed of seven Apaf-1 subunits bound to cytochrome c and caspase-9. A similar complex to promote apoptosis is formed from homologous gene products in other eukaryotic organisms. [GOC:mtg_apoptosis, PMID:10428850, PMID:11406413, PMID:12176339, PMID:15189137]