Bcl-2 family proteins as ion-channels

Cell Death & Differentiation volume 5, pages372–380(1998)Cite this article

Abstract

The Bcl-2 protein family function(s) as important regulators of cellular decisions to heed or ignore death signals. The three-dimensional structure of the Bcl-2 homolog, Bcl-XL, bears a strong resemblance to some pore-forming bacterial toxins. This similarity suggested that the Bcl-2 family proteins may also possess channel-forming capability. This review summarizes the recent initial studies on the in vitro channel activity of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Bax and offers some speculation as to the physiological role that these channels may play in the cell death pathway.

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Affiliations

  1. The Burnham Institute, Program on Apoptosis and Cell Death Research, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 92037, California, USA

    Sharon L Schendel & John C Reed

  2. Department of Biology, The University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 92093-0366, California, USA

    Mauricio Montal

Authors
  1. Sharon L Schendel
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  2. Mauricio Montal
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  3. John C Reed
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John C Reed.

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Edited by G. Melino

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Cite this article

Schendel, S., Montal, M. & Reed, J. Bcl-2 family proteins as ion-channels. Cell Death Differ 5, 372–380 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.cdd.4400365

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Keywords

  • apoptosis
  • membrane
  • colicin

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