Oxidative stress is attenuated in mice overexpressing BCL-2

The protooncogene Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis in neural cells, which may involve mitochondrial stabilization and decreased generation of reactive oxygen species. Using in vivo microdialysis we found that following administration of the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) there was a significant increase in the conversion of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) to 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHBA) in control mice, but not in Bcl-2 overexpressing mice. Striatal lesions were observed in littermate control mice, whereas, lesions were minimal or absent in Bcl-2 overexpressing mice. This shows that Bcl-2 overexpression in vivo attenuates the generation of reactive oxygen species.