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Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles
Published on: October 5, 2012
Stayin' alive: BCL-2 proteins in the hematopoietic system
Patricia M A Zehnle1, Ying Wu2, Henrike Pommerening2
1Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Abstract:
BH3 mimetics constitute a novel concept of antitumor therapy, inducing apoptosis via inhibition of pro-survival BCL-2 proteins. Programmed cell death is fundamental for physiological hematopoiesis; hence hematological side effects of these compounds are conceivable. Navitoclax and venetoclax have been studied extensively in the clinical setting; our knowledge of the more recently developed BCL-2 protein inhibitors specifically targeting MCL-1 or BCL-XL, however, is restricted mainly to preclinical experiments. To delineate possible adverse effects of novel BH3 mimetics on the human hematopoietic system, this review summarizes current knowledge of the function of specific antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins in physiological hematopoiesis.
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