The bcl-2 gene family.
Viability is a fundamental determinant of all cellular functions, and regulation of cell viability is important in shaping tissue differentiation and organism development. The genes in the bcl-2 family can profoundly influence cell viability. In addition to bcl-2, cellular genes in this family include bcl-x, bax, mcl-1, and A1 (from vertebrates), as well as ced9 (from Caenorhabditis elegans). Different members of the family exhibit a spectrum of activity, ranging from survival-enhancement of death-enhancement. Thus, the combinatorial effects of various bcl-2 family members may allow a fine level of control over the important function of cell viability. In addition, alterations in these genes may cause aberations in cell death and thus contribute to cancer.
Craig
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Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03755-3835, USA.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000235:genetics; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2