Entrez 599 | Ensembl ENSG00000129473 | |
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Aliases BCL2L2, BCL-W, BCL2-L-2, BCLW, PPP1R51, BCL2 like 2 External IDs MGI: 108052 HomoloGene: 2989 GeneCards: BCL2L2 | ||
Bcl-2-like protein 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BCL2L2 gene. It was originally discovered by Leonie Gibson, Suzanne Cory and colleagues at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, who called it Bcl-w.
Contents
Function
This gene encodes a pro-survival (anti-apoptotic) member of the bcl-2 protein family. The proteins of this family form hetero- or homodimers and act as anti- and pro-apoptotic regulators. Expression of this gene in cells has been shown to contribute to reduced cell apoptosis under cytotoxic conditions. Studies of the related gene in mice indicated a role in the survival of NGF- and BDNF-dependent neurons. Mutation and knockout studies of the mouse gene demonstrated an essential role in adult spermatogenesis.
Relative to its Bcl-2 counterparts there is considerably less data on this particular protein. Located on chromosome 14q11 it appears to be redundant in most tissues apart from specific examples.
Interactions
BCL2L2 has been shown to interact with: