BCL2 Like 2 Protein

Background

BCL2 like 2 (BCL2L2), also known as BCL-W, is another anti-apoptotic protein in the Bcl-2 family, crucial for regulating cell survival by preventing mitochondrial apoptosis BCL2L2 interacts with pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax and Bak, preventing their activation and the subsequent release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria BCL2L2’s role in inhibiting apoptosis is particularly important in cells that undergo high levels of stress, such as hematopoietic cells and certain neuronal populations Dysregulation of BCL2L2 has been associated with cancer, where its overexpression allows tumor cells to evade apoptosis, contributing to tumor survival, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy In addition, BCL2L2 is involved in maintaining tissue homeostasis and immune cell survival, influencing T-cell differentiation and activation Studies have suggested that BCL2L2 could be targeted for therapeutic purposes in both cancer and autoimmune diseases, where modulating cell death pathways can improve patient outcomes