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Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles
Published on: October 5, 2012
BCL-2 proteins and apoptosis: Recent insights and unknowns
1Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str.17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; BIOSS, Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Proteins of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family control the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. The pro-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins BAX and BAK can commit a cell to its programmed death by permeabilizing the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) and subsequent initiation of the caspase cascade. Therefore, the activities of BAX and BAK are precisely controlled by a complex network of proteins inside and outside the BCL-2 family. Cells survive by constant control of dynamic translocation and retrotranslocation of BAX and BAK to the mitochondria and back into the cytosol. Recent insights into BAX/BAK shuttling, BCL-2 protein interactions, the role of BH3-only proteins in apoptosis signaling and the active BAX complex set the stage for the development of novel strategies in cancer therapy and the analysis of cellular predisposition to apoptosis.
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