Bcl2 Associated X Protein (BAX) Protein

Background

BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (BAX) is a pro-apoptotic protein that plays a critical role in mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, a key process in regulating cell death BAX is activated in response to various stress signals, including DNA damage and oxidative stress, and it translocates to the mitochondria, where it promotes the release of cytochrome c, leading to the activation of caspases and cell death BAX functions as a counterpart to anti-apoptotic proteins like BCL2, which inhibit apoptosis BAX's activity is tightly regulated, as excessive activation can lead to uncontrolled cell death and tissue damage Its dysregulation has been implicated in several diseases, including cancer, where reduced BAX activity allows tumor cells to evade apoptosis, contributing to tumor progression and resistance to therapy BAX also has a role in regulating immune responses, particularly in T-cell development and survival, making it crucial for immune system homeostasis Additionally, BAX is involved in neurodegenerative diseases, where excessive cell death in neurons leads to conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's