Abstract
Apoptosis is a critically important biological process that plays an essential role in cell fate and homeostasis. An important component of the apoptotic pathway is the family of proteins commonly known as the B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). The primary role of Bcl-2 family members is the regulation of apoptosis. Although the structure of Bcl-2 family of proteins was reported nearly 10 years ago, however, it still surprises us with its structural and functional complexity and diversity. A number of studies have demonstrated that Bcl-2 family influences many other cellular processes beyond apoptosis which are generally independent of the regulation of apoptosis, suggesting additional roles for Bcl-2. The disruption of the regulation of apoptosis is a causative event in many diseases. Since the Bcl-2 family of proteins is the key regulator of apoptosis, the abnormalities in its function have been implicated in many diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, ischemia and autoimmune diseases. In the past few years, our understanding of the mechanism of action of Bcl-2 family of proteins and its implications in various pathological conditions has enhanced significantly. The focus of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the structure and function of Bcl-2 family of proteins in apoptotic cellular processes. A number of drugs have been developed in the past few years that target different Bcl-2 members. The role of Bcl-2 proteins in the pathogenesis of various diseases and their pharmacological significance as effective molecular therapeutic targets is also discussed.
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Abbreviations
- TNF-α:
-
Tumor necrosis factor alpha
- TNFR1:
-
Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1
- FasL:
-
Fatty acid synthetase ligand, Fas ligand
- FasR:
-
Fatty acid synthetase receptor, Fas receptor
- Apo3L:
-
Apo3 ligand
- DR3:
-
Death receptor 3
- TRAIL:
-
TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand
- DR4:
-
Death receptor 4
- DR5:
-
Death receptor 5
- FADD:
-
Fas-associated death domain
- TRADD:
-
TNF receptor-associated death domain
- RIP:
-
Receptor-interacting protein
- DED:
-
Death effector domain
- Caspase:
-
Cysteinyl aspartic acid protease
- FLICE:
-
FADD-like ICE
- c-FLIP:
-
FLICE-inhibitory protein
- Smac/DIABLO:
-
Second mitochondrial activator of caspases/direct IAP-binding protein with low PI
- IAP:
-
Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins
- Apaf-1:
-
Apoptotic protease-activating factor
- AIF:
-
Apoptosis-inducing factor
- CAD:
-
Caspase-activated DNase
- Bcl-2:
-
B cell lymphoma protein 2
- Bcl-x:
-
Bcl-2-like 1
- Bcl-XL:
-
Bcl-2-related protein long form of Bcl-x
- Bcl-XS:
-
Bcl-2-related protein short isoform
- Bcl-w:
-
Bcl-2-like 2 protein
- BAG:
-
Bcl-2-associated athanogene
- Bcl-10:
-
B cell lymphoma protein 10
- Bax:
-
Bcl-2-associated X protein
- Bak:
-
Bcl-2 antagonist killer 1
- Bid:
-
BH3-interacting domain
- Bad:
-
Bcl-2 antagonist of cell death Bcl-2-binding protein
- Bim:
-
Bcl-2-interacting protein
- Bik:
-
Bcl-2-interacting killer
- Blk:
-
Bik-like killer protein
- Puma:
-
Bcl-2-binding component 3
- Noxa:
-
Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1
- 14-3-3:
-
Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein
- Aven:
-
Cell death regulator Aven none
- Myc:
-
Oncogene myc
- PARP:
-
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase ADP ribosyltransferase
- NuMA:
-
Nuclear mitotic apparatus protein
- CAD:
-
Caspase-activated DNase
- ICAD:
-
Inhibitor of CAD
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This review article is dedicated to Dr. Nihal Ahmad and Dr. Hasan Mukhtar, Professors at the School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison (USA). The authors sincerely appreciate the valuable and encouraging comments of the editor(s) and reviewer(s).
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Waseem Ahmad Siddiqui and Amjid Ahad have contributed equally to this work.
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Siddiqui, W.A., Ahad, A. & Ahsan, H. The mystery of BCL2 family: Bcl-2 proteins and apoptosis: an update. Arch Toxicol 89, 289–317 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-014-1448-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-014-1448-7