title: Study of the functional role of Bcl-2 family proteins in regulating Ca(2+) signals in apoptotic cells.
abstract: Recently, it was found that Bcl-2 family proteins can affect the apoptotic process by modifying Ca(2+) released from the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). In this review, we summarize the evidence that Bcl-2 and Bax can modulate Ca(2+) mobilization from the ER to the cytosol and mitochondria. We also found evidence that both Bcl-2 and Bax can interact with IP(3)Rs (InsP(3) receptors) to modify the Ca(2+) efflux from the ER. On the basis of our findings, we suggest that Bax may interact with IP(3)Rs to facilitate the release of Ca(2+) from the ER during apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lao
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein