Background
Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), encoded in humans by the BCL2 gene, is the founding member of the Bcl-2 family of regulator proteins that regulate cell death (apoptosis), by either inhibiting (anti-apoptotic) or inducing (pro-apoptotic) apoptosis. It was the first apoptosis regulator identified in any organism. Besides, it suppresses apoptosis in a variety of cell systems including factor-dependent lymphohematopoietic and neural cells. It regulates cell death by controlling the mitochondrial membrane permeability and appears to function in a feedback loop system with caspases. It inhibits caspase activity either by preventing the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria and/or by binding to the apoptosis - activating factor (APAF-1). And it may attenuate inflammation by impairing NLRP1-inflammasome activation, hence CASP1 activation and IL1B release.
Cellular location
Mitochondrion outer membrane, Nucleus membrane, Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
