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Beclin 1: a BH3-only protein that fails to induce apoptosis

Abstract

Beclin 1 has been recently shown to possess a Bcl-2 homology-3 (BH3) domain that mediates its interaction with antiapoptotic multidomain proteins. Unlike other BH3-only proteins, Beclin 1 fails to stimulate apoptosis when it is overexpressed. In this issue of Oncogene, Ciechomska et al. report the intriguing finding that Bcl-2, as it interacts with Beclin 1, does not lose its anti-apoptotic potential. This finding may have far-reaching implications for the comprehension of the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagy.

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Correspondence to P Boya or G Kroemer.

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Boya, P., Kroemer, G. Beclin 1: a BH3-only protein that fails to induce apoptosis. Oncogene 28, 2125–2127 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/onc.2009.83

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