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Updated: Nov 15, 2025

Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles
Published on: October 5, 2012
The Role of Bcl-xL Protein in Viral Infections
Zbigniew Wyżewski1, Weronika Świtlik2, Matylda Barbara Mielcarska3
1Institute of Biological Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
Bcl-xL represents a family of proteins responsible for the regulation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Due to its anti-apoptotic activity, Bcl-xL co-determines the viability of various virally infected cells. Their survival may determine the effectiveness of viral replication and spread, dynamics of systemic infection, and viral pathogenesis. In this paper, we have reviewed the role of Bcl-xL in the context of host infection by eight different RNA and DNA viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A virus (IAV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1), Maraba virus (MRBV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and coronavirus (CoV). We have described an influence of viral infection on the intracellular level of Bcl-xL and discussed the impact of Bcl-xL-dependent cell survival control on infection-accompanying pathogenic events such as tissue damage or oncogenesis. We have also presented anti-viral treatment strategies based on the pharmacological regulation of Bcl-xL expression or activity.
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