PE Anti-Bcl-2 antibody [204]

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Bcl-2 also known as B-cell lymphoma 2 is an important protein involved in the regulation of apoptosis. It mechanically functions by inhibiting cell death and is a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Bcl-2 has a molecular weight of approximately 26 kDa. It is expressed mainly in fetal and adult tissues including the immune system and is notably present in hematopoietic stem cells and various cell lines derived from lymphoid tissues. In laboratory practices scientists often assess Bcl-2 expression levels through techniques like western blotting using antibodies such as 10c4 for detection.

Biological function summary

The role of Bcl-2 extends to maintaining cell survival and balancing apoptotic signals. It functions as an anti-apoptotic molecule within the cell primarily involved in forming complexes with pro-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family like Bax and Bak. These interactions prevent mitochondrial membrane permeabilization which is an important step in apoptotic signal transduction. As an important regulator of apoptosis Bcl-2 helps in cellular homeostasis and appropriate immune responses under physiological conditions.

Pathways

Bcl-2 plays a critical role in the intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Within this pathway Bcl-2 interacts with other proteins such as cytochrome c and APAF-1 to inhibit apoptosis. This pathway involves a network of Bcl-2 family proteins where Bcl-2's anti-apoptotic role counteracts the pro-apoptotic activity of proteins like Bax. These interactions help fine-tune the apoptotic response to various internal stimuli maintaining cellular integrity and function.

Associated diseases and disorders

The dysregulation of Bcl-2 expression has been implicated in cancer and autoimmune diseases. Overexpression of Bcl-2 is associated with several types of cancer including lymphomas and breast cancer where its anti-apoptotic property leads to tumor cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy. Bcl-2 also connects to disorders such as autoimmune diseases due to its regulation of cell survival with proteins like Bim playing an opposite role in promoting apoptosis. Understanding Bcl-2's functionality within these contexts is essential for developing targeted therapies.