The molecular perspective: Bcl-2 and apoptosis.

The Oncologist 2002;7:259-260 www.TheOncologist.com Animals enforce a strict capital punishment on their cells. If any cell steps out of line, it is cleanly and promptly destroyed through the process of apoptosis. Candidates for apoptosis include cells that may be a danger to the organism, such as cells with damaged DNA or cells growing at improper rates. Apoptosis, however, is not restricted to rogue cells. It is also widely applied to normal cells that have simply become obsolete as organisms grow and develop. Of course, there must be checks and balances on this powerful system. In cells, apoptosis is controlled through a tribunal of proteins, together known as the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Together, they weigh the pros and cons of cell death at any given time. Some of these proteins are pro-survival, arguing that the cell is healthy and useful. They normally dominate, and the cell continues living and performing its daily duties. Other proteins are pro-apoptotic, Fundamentals of Cancer Medicine The Oncologist