Bcl-2 antibody

B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein is an oncogene that normally acts as an apoptotic inhibitor and localizes to the mitochondrial membrane where it prevents the release of cytochrome c. The Bcl-2 protein family consists of over 20 proteins each containing at least one Bcl-2 homology (BH) domains and have either proapoptic or antiapoptotic activities.

Not everyone knows how antibodies influence animal life, so this article is, in part, a very brief introduction. Apoptosis is triggered by a variety of signals and takes place by one of several mechanisms. These involve cell surface receptors, cytokines, tumour necrosis factors, proteins such as Bcl-2, Bax and Apaf-1, the caspase cascade, and apoptosis-inducing factors.

Bcl-2 antibodies are used as markers for the Bcl-2 gene. Bcl-2 suppresses apoptosis (controlled cell death) by inhibiting caspase activity and controlling cell membrane permeability. It does this by forming mitochondrial pores on the outer membrane of the mitochondria. However, its exact mechanism of action is still not completely understood.