BCL-X and the apoptotic machinery of lymphoma cells.
The BCL-X gene belongs to the family of BCL-2 homologues and plays an important role in the regulation of programmed cell death (PCD) in normal lymphoid tissues. BCL-X is transcribed into 2 mRNAs through alternative splicing. The protein product of the larger BCL-X mRNA (BCL-XL) functions as a PCD repressor. The second mRNA species, BCL-XS, encodes a protein capable of accelerating cell death. BCL-XL is a potential contributor to the pathogenesis of malignant lymphomas because the BCL-XL isoform is predominantly expressed by the neoplastic cells in the majority of lymphoma cases. This review is focused on the possible influence of BCL-X and other PCD regulatory agents on lymphomagenesis.
Xerri
L
L
Department of Pathology, INSERM U 119, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.
Hassoun
J
J
Devilard
E
E
Birnbaum
D
D
Birg
F
F
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D051020:bcl-X Protein
C494811:BCL2L1 protein, human; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051020:bcl-X Protein