Recombinant Cricetulus griseus Apoptosis Regulator Bcl-2 (BCL2) refers to a genetically engineered version of the BCL2 protein derived from the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). BCL2 is a key regulator of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, and plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and preventing cancer. The recombinant form of this protein is often used in research and biotechnology applications to study apoptosis mechanisms and develop therapeutic strategies for diseases related to dysregulated apoptosis.
BCL2 proteins are part of a larger family that includes both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic members. The BCL2 protein itself is anti-apoptotic, meaning it inhibits cell death by preventing the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria, thereby blocking the activation of caspases that execute apoptosis . This function is critical in maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing excessive cell loss.
BCL2 regulates apoptosis primarily by interacting with other members of the BCL2 family. It binds to pro-apoptotic proteins like BAX and BAK, preventing them from forming pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane, which is a crucial step in initiating apoptosis . The balance between pro-survival and pro-apoptotic BCL2 family members determines whether a cell will undergo apoptosis.
Recombinant BCL2 proteins, such as those derived from Cricetulus griseus, are used in various research applications:
ELISA Kits: These proteins are often used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits to detect and quantify BCL2 levels in samples. This is important for studying apoptosis in different cell types and disease states .
Cancer Research: Overexpression of BCL2 is associated with several cancers, making it a target for therapeutic interventions. Recombinant BCL2 can be used to study these mechanisms and develop inhibitors .
Cell Culture Studies: Recombinant BCL2 can be used to modulate apoptosis in cell culture systems, allowing researchers to study the effects of altered BCL2 expression on cell survival and death.
| Protein | Function | Location |
|---|---|---|
| BCL2 | Anti-apoptotic | Mitochondria, ER |
| BCL-XL | Anti-apoptotic | Mitochondria |
| BAX | Pro-apoptotic | Mitochondria |
| BAK | Pro-apoptotic | Mitochondria |
| BIM | Pro-apoptotic (BH3-only) | Cytoplasm |
| PUMA | Pro-apoptotic (BH3-only) | Cytoplasm |
| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| ELISA Kits | Detection and quantification of BCL2 in samples |
| Cancer Research | Studying BCL2 overexpression and developing inhibitors |
| Cell Culture | Modulating apoptosis in cell culture systems |
This recombinant Cricetulus griseus Apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 (BCL2) protein suppresses apoptosis in various cell systems, including factor-dependent lymphohematopoietic and neural cells. It regulates cell death by modulating mitochondrial membrane permeability and functions within a feedback loop with caspases. BCL2 inhibits caspase activity by preventing cytochrome c release from mitochondria and/or binding to apoptosis-activating factor 1 (APAF-1). Furthermore, it acts as an autophagy inhibitor, interacting with BECN1 and AMBRA1 under non-starvation conditions to suppress their autophagy function. It may also attenuate inflammation by hindering NLRP1-inflammasome activation, thereby reducing CASP1 activation and IL1B release.