Bcl-x, also know as Bcl-2-like protein 1, is a member of the Bcl-2 protein family. It inhibits cell death, or apoptosis. Bcl-x is expressed as two isomeric forms, Bcl-xL and Bcl-xS, and it is typically present in the cytosol in association with the mitochondrial membrane. Bcl-xL forms heterodimers with various proteins, including Bax, Bak and Bcl-2. It has been found that heterodimerization with Bax does not seem to be required for anti-apoptotic activity. Since Bcl-xL can form an ion channel in synthetic lipid membranes, there is a strong possibility that this property plays a role in heterodimerization independent cell survival. The Bcl-X(S) isoform promotes apoptosis. Bcl-x is expressed in many types of cell including lymphocytes, neuronal cells, and epithelial cells. In tumors, a high level of Bcl-x has been found in Reed Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's disease. Overexpression of Bcl-x has been observed in primary central nervous system lymphomas that occur in immunosuppressed patients. In prostate cancer, Bcl-x expression is increased during tumor progression. Overexpression of Bcl-x in colon cancer has been linked to a poor prognosis.
Bcl-x, also know as Bcl-2-like protein 1, is a member of the Bcl-2 protein family. It inhibits cell death, or apoptosis. Bcl-x is expressed as two isomeric forms, Bcl-xL and Bcl-xS, and it is typically present in the cytosol in association with the mitochondrial membrane. Bcl-xL forms heterodimers with various proteins, including Bax, Bak and Bcl-2. It has been found that heterodimerization with Bax does not seem to be required for anti-apoptotic activity. Since Bcl-xL can form an ion channel in synthetic lipid membranes, there is a strong possibility that this property plays a role in heterodimerization independent cell survival. The Bcl-X(S) isoform promotes apoptosis. Bcl-x is expressed in many types of cell including lymphocytes, neuronal cells, and epithelial cells. In tumors, a high level of Bcl-x has been found in Reed Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's disease. Overexpression of Bcl-x has been observed in primary central nervous system lymphomas that occur in immunosuppressed patients. In prostate cancer, Bcl-x expression is increased during tumor progression. Overexpression of Bcl-x in colon cancer has been linked to a poor prognosis.
Bcl-x, also know as Bcl-2-like protein 1, is a member of the Bcl-2 protein family. It inhibits cell death, or apoptosis. Bcl-x is expressed as two isomeric forms, Bcl-xL and Bcl-xS, and it is typically present in the cytosol in association with the mitochondrial membrane. Bcl-xL forms heterodimers with various proteins, including Bax, Bak and Bcl-2. It has been found that heterodimerization with Bax does not seem to be required for anti-apoptotic activity. Since Bcl-xL can form an ion channel in synthetic lipid membranes, there is a strong possibility that this property plays a role in heterodimerization independent cell survival. The Bcl-X(S) isoform promotes apoptosis. Bcl-x is expressed in many types of cell including lymphocytes, neuronal cells, and epithelial cells. In tumors, a high level of Bcl-x has been found in Reed Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's disease. Overexpression of Bcl-x has been observed in primary central nervous system lymphomas that occur in immunosuppressed patients. In prostate cancer, Bcl-x expression is increased during tumor progression. Overexpression of Bcl-x in colon cancer has been linked to a poor prognosis.
