Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
08:35
Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles
Published on: October 5, 2012
bcl-2 proto-oncogene, apoptosis and oncogenesis
M Kandouz1, A Gompel, A Therwath
1UNIV PARIS 07,ONCOL MOL LAB,F-75005 PARIS,FRANCE.
International Journal of Oncology
|May 5, 2011
Summary
Cell death, including apoptosis, is crucial for tissue states. The bcl-2 gene regulates apoptosis and cell proliferation, impacting oncogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cell death, alongside mitosis, determines normal or neoplastic tissue states.
- Two primary forms of cell death exist: necrosis (accidental) and apoptosis (programmed).
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, has recently garnered significant research interest due to its regulatory mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of apoptosis in tissue regulation.
- To identify key genetic factors involved in apoptosis.
- To understand the role of apoptosis in the context of oncogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on cell death mechanisms.
- Analysis of genetic regulation in apoptosis.
- Examination of the bcl-2 gene's function.
Main Results:
- Cell death significantly influences tissue homeostasis.
- Apoptosis is a genetically regulated process.
- The bcl-2 gene acts as a critical regulator at the intersection of cell death and proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis plays a vital role in maintaining normal tissue states.
- The bcl-2 gene is a key factor in controlling cell death and proliferation.
- Understanding these processes is fundamental to addressing oncogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:24Caspases
Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...