Studies using Bcl-2 antibodies - By: Tom Jui

The Bcl-2 gene family is important in regulating apoptosis, i.e. programmed cell death. The use of Bcl antibodies forms an important part of disease research at the cellular level. Apoptosis is essential for efficient cellular function and is utilised in many areas; for example homeostasis, defence against pathogens and embryonic development.

Bcl-2 proteins control apoptosis mainly by regulating the permeability of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondrial function depends on a “switch-on/switch-off” mechanism; therefore both pro and antipoptotic Bcl-2 proteins are involved. Homeostasis is achieved by a balance of functions between these two groups.

There are a large number of Bcl-2 proteins, each with a target antibody which is used for detection and quantitative analysis during immunoassays. Bcl-2 covers 4 BH domains. These domains regulate and control protein function and heterodimerisation between different Bcl-2 members.

Antipoptotic Bcl-2 proteins promote survival of the cell. These include A1, Mcl-1, 2Bcl-2, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Bcl-W. These contain all 4 domains. The multidomain proapoptotic (antisurvival) group of Bax, Bok and Bak contains BH domains 1, 2, and 3. The second proapoptotic group, BH3-only, comprises the Bad, Bid, Bik, Bim, Blk, Bmf, Bnip, Bcl-XS, Noxa, and Puma globulins. These have only the BH3 domain.

It is the ratio of pro to antisurvival Bcl-2 proteins which determine how susceptible cells are to apoptotic stimuli. Disruption of these levels, by increased or decreased expression of one or more proteins, is implicated in the development of various malignant tumours as well as non-malignant growths, AIDs, Downs Syndrome and diabetes.

Antipoptotic Bcl-2 is widely used in cancer research. Elevated levels are implicated in a number of tumours, and cause cellular resistance to proapoptotic proteins and chemotherapy treatments. On a more general scale, Bcl-2 proteins are useful biomarkers. Antibody suppliers like us at Novus Biologicals have a large range of marker protein antibodies on our databases.

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