Role of Bcl-2 family of proteins in malignancy.
B cell lymphoma gene-2 (Bcl-2) is the prototypic member of a growing family of proteins that play evolutionarily conserved, key regulatory roles in apoptosis. The Bcl-2 family members are characterized by the presence of one or more Bcl-2 homology domains and are comprised of both the prosurvival and proapoptotic proteins. Bcl-2 itself is a prosurvival member of the family and its aberrant expression has been linked to a variety of different cancers, including several hematological malignancies. Although the exact mechanism of action of Bcl-2 family of proteins in regulating apoptosis is still a matter of some debate, these proteins appear to act upstream of caspase activation. Many recent studies have shown the therapeutic potential of targeting Bcl-2 family members for the treatment of cancer. This article summarizes what is currently known about Bcl-2-like proteins and how the evolving understanding of the biology of these proteins is paving way for the development of novel cancer therapeutics.
Baliga
Belinda C
BC
Department of Haematology, Hanson Centre for Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
Kumar
Sharad
S
D017209:Apoptosis; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000502:physiology*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2