bcl-2, a novel regulator of cell death

The bcl-2 gene product, a 25 kDa membrane protein residing at mitochondrial, microsomal and nuclear membrane sites within many cell types, is a broad and potent inhibitor of cell death by apoptosis. A family of bcl-2-related genes with death-inhibiting or -promoting actvities has recently been described, indicating a potentially quite complex cell death regulatory network at the level of gene expression and protein-protein interactions. The function of bcl-2 may be to regulate a final common pathway in apoptosis. Current hypotheses suggest that oxidative stress, specific proteolytic activity or cell cycle control may be common elements in apoptosis through which bcl-2 exerts its survival function. Based on the extent to which elements of apoptotic pathways overlap with non-apoptotic cellular functions, the physiological role of bcl-2 may also extend to other cellular processes such as differentiation and proliferation.