What controls the cellular suicide program? This review examines the Bcl-2 protein family, key regulators of apoptosis—the cell suicide program vital for development, tissue homeostasis, and pathogen defense. Proteins similar to Bcl-2 promote cell survival by inhibiting adapters needed for activating caspases, the proteases that dismantle the cell. More distant relatives promote apoptosis, potentially by displacing adapters from pro-survival proteins. The balance between these competing activities determines cell fate for many apoptotic signals. Bcl-2 family members are essential for major organ system maintenance, and their mutations are implicated in cancer. Understanding the Bcl-2 family's role is crucial for understanding essential mechanisms for maintanence of major organ systems. These key regulators offer insights into the complex processes governing cell survival and death, with implications for various diseases, including cancer.
Published in Science, this review aligns with the journal's scope by providing a comprehensive overview of a fundamental biological process. The Bcl-2 protein family's role in apoptosis is relevant to various fields, including developmental biology, immunology, and cancer research. The review synthesizes knowledge on this topic and presents it to a broad scientific audience.
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