Bcl-2 family proteins and leukemia. Minireview.

The present status of Bcl-2 family proteins action and their role in leukemia and lymphoma is reviewed here in short. The Bcl-2 is an oncogenic protein that acts by inhibiting programmed cell death (apoptosis). In this article a timely review of the emerging mechanisms by which Bcl-2 and homologous family proteins might suppress cell death is presented. There have been reports that Bcl-2 and related anti-apoptotic proteins can function as a channel in the mitochondrial membrane and as an adaptor protein that can protect cells from cytotoxic agents. A dual function now seems likely, and interactions between Bcl-2 and other proteins are supposed. The Bcl-2 family proteins have assumed an important role in leukemia and lymphoma research. The observations reviewed in this article suggest an important role of dysregulated Bcl-2 expression in the pathogenesis and prognosis of at least some types of leukemia and lymphoma. The Bcl-2 family proteins are important regulators of apoptosis that constitute a novel mechanism of chemoresistance in cancer.