Bcl-2-like protein 1

Bcl-2-like protein 1 is a protein encoded in humans by the BCL2L1 gene. Through alternative splicing, the gene encodes both of the human proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-xS.

Function
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 proteins encoded by this gene are located at the outer mitochondrial membrane, and have been shown to regulate outer mitochondrial membrane channel (voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) opening. VDACs regulate mitochondrial membrane potential, and thus controls the production of reactive oxygen species and release of cytochrome C by mitochondria, both of which are the potent inducers of cell apoptosis. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants, which encode distinct isoforms, have been reported. The longer isoform (Bcl-xL) acts as an apoptotic inhibitor and the shorter form (Bcl-xS) acts as an apoptotic activator.

Interactions
BCL2-like 1 (gene) has been shown to interact with:


 * APAF1,
 * BAK1,
 * BCAP31,
 * BCL2L11,
 * BNIP3,
 * BNIPL,
 * BAD,
 * BAX,
 * BIK,
 * Bcl-2,
 * HRK,
 * IKZF3,
 * Noxa,
 * PPP1CA,
 * PSEN2
 * RAD9A,
 * RTN1,
 * RTN4, and
 * VDAC1.