Regulation of cell survival by the bcl-2 gene family

Abstract

The oncogenic role of mutations that promote cellular prolifération is well accepted. Equally important, however, are mutations that curb apoptosis, the process of physiologic cell death. The link between enhanced cell survival and cancer emerged with the discovery that hcl-2, the gene translocated in follicular lymphoma. enhances cell survival. Transgenic mouse models have directly demonstrated the lymphomagenic potential of bcl-2. The cytuplasmic protein encoded by bcl-2 has been shown to be located on the nuclear membrane, endoplasmic reticulum and outer mitochondrial membrane. The biochemical basis for its survival function remains unclear, although genetic studies in C. eleganx suggest ..