title: The anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant dichotomy of Bcl-2.
abstract: Across a wide spectrum of cellular redox status, there emerges a dichotomy of responses in terms of cell survival/proliferation and cell death. Of note, there is emerging evidence that the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, in addition to its conventional activity of titrating the pro-apoptotic effects of proteins such as Bax and Bak at the mitochondria, also impacts cell fate decisions via modulating cellular redox metabolism. In this regard, both pro- and anti-oxidant effects of Bcl-2 overexpression have been described under different conditions and cellular contexts. In this short review, we attempt to analyze existing observations and present a probable explanation for the seemingly conflicting redox regulating activity of Bcl-2 from the standpoint of its pro-survival function. The consequential effect(s) of the dual redox functions of Bcl-2 are also discussed, particularly from the viewpoint of developing novel therapeutic strategies against cancers rendered refractory due to the aberrant expression of Bcl-2.
authors.forename: Yi Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Stephen Jun Fei
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Shazib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pervaiz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016877:Oxidants; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2