Regulating the levels of antiapoptotic and preapoptotic proteins can sensitize cells to undergo apoptosis in response to chemotherapeutic agents. Using antisense oligonucleotides, Taylor et al. have altered splice-site selection in an endogenous apoptosis gene, bcl-x (see p. 1097 and p. 1065). This treatment favors the production of a longer form of the mRNA, encoding for the proapoptotic protein (Bcl-xS), whereas it disfavors production of the antiapoptotic longer form (Bcl-xL) and sensitizes the cells to apoptotic stimuli.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Frederickson, R. Antisense targets apoptosis. Nat Biotechnol 17, 1051 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/15026
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/15026