title: Regulation of apoptosis: involvement of Bcl-2-related proteins.
abstract: This article is a concise review of up-to-date information and recent discoveries concerning structure, site of action, tissue distribution, biological effects and molecular mechanisms of Bcl-2 family proteins. Particular attention has been focused on the physiological aspect of Bcl-2 protein function with emphasis on animal production and health. Bcl-2-related proteins are the principal regulators of apoptosis, acting through the control of ions (K+, H+, Cl-, Ca2+) and reactive oxygen species fluxes, the release of apoptogenic factors from mitochondria (AIF, cytochrome c) and the activation of the executors of apoptosis (caspases, DNases). The response of Bcl-2 proteins to pro- and anti-apoptotic signals relies on the activation of transcription and translation, phosphorylation, proteolytic cleavage, interactions with Bcl-2-related and other (structurally unrelated) proteins, translocation from the cytosol to intracellular membranes, and formation of permeability transition pores.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Warsaw Agricultural University, Poland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Motyl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D020169:Caspases; D002118:Calcium