The Bcl2 family: regulators of the cellular life-or-death switch.
Tissue homeostasis is regulated by apoptosis, the cell-suicide programme that is executed by proteases called caspases. The Bcl2 family of intracellular proteins is the central regulator of caspase activation, and its opposing factions of anti- and pro-apoptotic members arbitrate the life-or-death decision. Apoptosis is often impaired in cancer and can limit conventional therapy. A better understanding of how the Bcl2 family controls caspase activation should result in new, more effective therapeutic approaches.
Cory
Suzanne
S
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria 3050, Australia. cory@wehi.edu.au
Adams
Jerry M
JM
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011487:Protein Conformation; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D020169:Caspases