Bax is a member of the Bcl-2 family; an extensive range of proteins which play key roles in apoptosis, or programmed cell death, by regulating outer mitochondrial membrane permeability. We at Novus Biologicals are one of the leading antibody suppliers for apoptosis research, with an extensive range of Bax antibody products.
The Bcl-2 proteins share one or more conserved domains (BH1 – 4.) They are divided into three subfamilies based on their function and domain: Antiapoptotic (i.e. pro-survival); proapoptotic multidomain, and proapoptotic BH3-domain only. The BH domains are essential to heterodimerisation between family members. Cellular homeostasis is maintained by the balance of activity between pro- and antiapoptotic proteins.
-Immunohistochemistry-Frozen-NBP1-28566-img0002.jpg "Immunohistochemistry-Frozen: Bax Antibody")
Bax (derived from Bcl-2–associated X protein) was the first identified member of the multidomain proapoptotic family. It promotes apoptosis by competing with Bcl-2 proper, an antiapoptotic protein. The Bcl-2 and Bax antibody are of great importance in cancer research, as alterations to expression of competing Bcl-2 proteins are known to be a cause of many malignancies. The Bcl-2 family is also implicated in a number of other conditions including diabetes, Down’s Syndrome and AIDS.
Bax antibody research has shown the protein resides in the cytosol, undergoing translocation to the outer mitochondrial membrane after apoptosis is initiated. Its mode of action is uncertain, but evidence suggests Bax and/or Bak form an oligomeric pore, called MAC, activating mitochondrial permeabilisation and the release of caspases, such as cytochrome C. This initiates apoptosis.
Recently, scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin suggested Bax permeabilization was achieved by cardiolipin (CL) translocation from the inner to the outer membrane. Cytochrome c is released early in the apoptosis pathway, following CL oxidation.
Novus Biologicals offers many Bax reagents for your research needs including:
