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Bcl-2 Family Proteins

Meaning

The Bcl-2 Family Proteins are a critical group of intracellular regulatory molecules that govern the intrinsic pathway of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, within the cell. These proteins are classified into pro-apoptotic members, which promote cell death, and anti-apoptotic members, which inhibit it, maintaining a delicate balance essential for tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of this family is clinically significant, as excessive inhibition of apoptosis is a characteristic feature of many cancers and contributes to cellular longevity in aging. Clinicians consider their activity in therapeutic strategies targeting abnormal cell survival.