Bcl-2: the apoptosis checkpoint family
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Choose from our selection of top quality products for this family of proteins.
For over 30 years B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family have been investigated in cancer research. A subset of proteins in this family (Bcl-2, Bcl -XL, Mcl-1) prevent apoptosis, while others (Bax. Bak, Bad, Bim) trigger the cascades leading to programmed cell death (Figure 1). Thus the activity of the Bcl-2 family members can have huge effects on cell survival, making them desirable therapeutic targets.
See below for a breakdown of the top reagents for this family (including the newly FDA approved Venetoclax), and how they can help you on your research journey.
Figure 1. Interaction of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins to modulate apoptosis. Adapted from Clin Cancer Res. 2009 Feb 15;15(4):1126-32. PMID: 19228717.
Markers of Bcl-2 family protein detection
Bcl-2 family target | Marker | Species reactivity | Key features |
Bcl-2 | Human |
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Mouse, human |
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Bcl-XL | Mouse, rat, human |
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Mcl-1 | Mouse, rat, human |
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Bax | Mouse, rat, human, Chinese hamster |
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Bak | Human |
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Mouse, human |
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Bad | Mouse, rat, dog, human |
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Mouse, rat, human |
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Bim | Mouse, rat, human |
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Inhibition and activation of Bcl-2 family proteins
Bcl-2 family target | Modifier | Activity | Key features |
Bcl-2 | Inhibitor |
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Bcl-xl | Inhibitor |
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Mcl-1 | Inhibitor |
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Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and Bcl- w | Inhibitor |
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Pan | Inhibitor |
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Bax | Activator |
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