Regulation of stressed-induced cell death by the Bcl-2 family of apoptotic proteins

Abstract

Apoptosis is often deregulated in a number of human diseases. Heat-induced apoptosis is a model system for studying the consequences of protein misfolding and is mediated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins. This family consists of both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic members that control mitochondrial integrity. The BH3-only pro-apoptotic members are strong inducers of apoptotic cell death. Protein damaging stress can activate a process of cellular destruction known as apoptosis. The pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins and transcription factors activate this death pathway by inhibiting the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins eliminating cancer cells in a short period of time.

Keywords:

• Apoptosis
• Bcl-2 family proteins
• caspase
• cytochrome c
• cancer

Acknowledgements

This review was supported by the American University of the Middle East, Egaila, Kuwait.

Disclosure statement

The author report no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of this article.