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BCL2 Biological Pathways Reviews
BCL2
BCL2 Apoptosis Regulator; PPP1R50; Bcl-2; Protein Phosphatase 1, Regulatory Subunit 50; Apoptosis Regulator Bcl-2; B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 2; BCL2, Apoptosis Regulator 2
Tumor cells have many characteristics, including genomic instability and oncogene activation, which should lead to apoptosis.1 In a bid to survive, tumor cells may become dependent on the BCL-2 protein.2 Certain cancer cells will overexpress BCL-2, which in turn impedes apoptosis and facilitates tumor growth and resistance to chemotherapy.3 These malignant cells that depend on BCL-2 for survival are likely to be sensitive to BCL-2 modulation.4
Understanding the Role of BCL2
This animation discusses the role of BCL2 in normal cell function and explains the effects of disruptions in the BCL2 gene on cell signaling.
Expression in Cancer
High expression of BCL-2 occurs in a variety of cancer types. The graphic below displays cases in each cancer type (up to a certain percentage) that have been reported to overexpress BCL-2.