Bcl-xL
Bcl-xL
Bcl-xL (pronounced as "B-C-L-X-L") is a protein that is encoded by the BCL2L1 gene in humans. It is a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, which play a crucial role in regulating apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
Etymology
The term "Bcl-xL" is derived from "B-cell lymphoma-extra large". The "Bcl" part of the name refers to the protein's initial discovery in B-cell lymphomas, a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes. The "xL" stands for "extra large", indicating that this is a larger variant of the Bcl-x protein.
Function
Bcl-xL functions as an anti-apoptotic protein by preventing the release of mitochondrial contents such as cytochrome c, which can lead to cell death. It does this by binding to and inhibiting the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak, which are also members of the Bcl-2 family.
Clinical Significance
Overexpression of Bcl-xL has been observed in many types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia. This overexpression can lead to resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as these treatments often work by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Therefore, Bcl-xL is a potential target for cancer therapies aimed at promoting apoptosis in cancer cells.
Related Terms
- Bcl-2: A family of proteins that regulate apoptosis. Bcl-xL is a member of this family.
- Apoptosis: A form of programmed cell death that is regulated by proteins such as Bcl-xL.
- Bax and Bak: Pro-apoptotic proteins that are inhibited by Bcl-xL.
- Cytochrome c: A mitochondrial protein that can trigger apoptosis when released into the cytoplasm.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bcl-xL
- Wikipedia's article - Bcl-xL
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