P10415

Bcl-2 is an integral outer mitochondrial membrane protein that blocks the apoptotic death of some cells such as lymphocytes. Bcl-2 plays a crucial role as a key regulator of apoptosis, which is vital for normal development, maintaining tissue homeostasis, and providing defense against pathogens. Immunostaining of human tissues reveals that Bcl-2 is primarily localized in the cytoplasm and associated with the membrane, highlighting its function as an anti-apoptotic oncoprotein. Bcl-2 promotes cell survival by engaging in protein-protein interactions with other members of the Bcl-2 family, including the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, Bcl-w, and A1, as well as the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, Bak, Bik, Bad, and Bid. Regulation of Bcl-2′s anti-apoptotic function can occur through mechanisms such as proteolytic processing and phosphorylation, which are essential for its activity.