Bcl-2 Family Immunohistochemistry
In recent years, immunohistochemistry as applied to the Bcl-2 family of proteins has represented a burgeoning area of interest to cancer researchers. The majority of studies have focused on the original member Bcl-2, first identified via its involvement in the common t(14;18) chromosomal translocation in B-cell lymphomas (1 ). However, since this discovery, preclinical and clinical interest in Bcl-2 has dramatically increased owing to (a) its recognition as the first of a new class of oncogene able to prolong survival by inhibiting programmed cell death (apoptosis) and (b) the discovery of many additional related genes/proteins some of which, like Bcl-2, inhibit apoptosis, whereas others, such as Bax, conversely promote cell death (2 ) (Table 1 ). Table 1 Bcl-2 Family Members
Pro-apoptotic | Anti-apoptotic |
---|---|
Bax | Bcl-2 |
Bcl-Xs | Bcl-Xl |
Bak | Bcl-w |
Bad | Bfl-1 |
Bid | Brag-1 |
Bik | Mcl-1 |
Hrk | A1 |