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Description |
Bcl-2-like protein 11 is a protein that in humans is encoded
by the BCL2L11 gene. The protein encoded by this gene
belongs to the BCL-2 protein family. BCL-2 family members
form hetero- or homodimers and act as anti- or pro-apoptotic
regulators that are involved in a wide variety of cellular
activities. The protein encoded by this gene contains a
Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3). It has been shown to interact
with other members of the BCL-2 protein family, including
BCL2, BCL2L1/BCL-X(L), and MCL1, and to act as an apoptotic
activator. The expression of this gene can be induced by
nerve growth factor (NGF), as well as by the forkhead
transcription factor FKHR-L1, which suggests a role of this
gene in neuronal and lymphocyte apoptosis. Transgenic
studies of the mouse counterpart suggested that this gene
functions as an essential initiator of apoptosis in
thymocyte-negative selection. Several alternatively spliced
transcript variants of this gene have been identified. |