The Bcl-2 protein family is characterized by the ability to modulate cell death, and members of this family share two highly conserved domains called Bcl-2 homology 1 (BH1) and 2 (BH2) which have been shown to be critical for the death-repressor activity of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Through sequence analysis we identified a novel viral Bcl-2 homolog, designated KSbcl-2, from human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) ...

The pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-family protein Bad heterodimerizes with Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) in the outer mitochondrial membranes, nullifying their anti-apoptotic activities and promoting cell death. We report that interleukin-3 (IL-3) stimulation induces Bad phosphorylation and triggers its translocation from mitochondria to cytoplasm in cells expressing Bcl-x(L) but not Bcl-2. Overexpression of Bad sen...

This study aims to explore the cytotoxic, apoptotic and autophagic effects of thymoquinone on human acute myeloid leukemia. The cytotoxic were determined with 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) tests. B-cell lymphoma 2 associated X protein (Bax), (Bcl-2), caspase 3, mammalian target rapamycin (mTOR), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), kinase B (AKT) gene expr...

The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 is overexpressed in a majority of breast cancers, and is associated with a diminished apoptotic response and resistance to various antitumor agents. Bcl-2 inhibition is currently being explored as a possible strategy for sensitizing breast cancer cells to standard chemotherapeutic agents. Antisense Bcl-2 oligonucleotides represent one method for blocking the anti...

Background and Aims: Cadmium is an important environmental pollutant and a potent toxicant to organisms. However, the toxicity of Cadmium and its influences on stomach is still unclear. We examined the effects of intraperitoneal injection of Cadmium on mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes in rat stomach. Materials and Methods: Twenty eight male Wistar rats weighing 200 to 250 g were randomly...

Overexpression of Bcl-2 in myeloma cells results in resistance to drugs such as dexamethasone (DEX), adenovirus-mediated delivery of p53 (Ad-p53), and paclitaxel (TAX), which work through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Bcl-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (Bcl-2-ASO) have been shown to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, as a single agent or, better, in combination with chemotherapy. We hypoth...

Genistein is a soy isoflavone with anti-tumor properties. Genistein-induced apoptosis involves Bcl-2 downregulation. However, overexpression of Bcl-2 in breast cancer has been associated with better prognosis and response to hormonal therapy. To examine genistein's effect on breast cancer cells with different Bcl-2 levels, we established control (MCF-7/PV) and Bcl-2 overexpressing MCF-7 (MCF-7/...