Bcl-2 Family

- there are 25 members in the Bcl-2 family

- members share Bcl-2 homology domains termed BH domains

- Bcl-2 homology domains are termed BH1, BH2, BH3 and BH4

- Bcl-2 family members have one or more BH domains

- BH domains are crucial for Bcl-2 members function

- genetic changes within BH domains alter a cells rate of death

Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins

- anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins have ALL four BH domains

- these proteins include Bcl-2. Bcl-XL, Mcl-1, CED-9, A1

Pro-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins

- these proteins include Bax, Bak, Diva, Bcl-Xs, Bik, Bim, Bad, Bid, Egl-1

- all pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins have the BH3 domain

- numerous pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins have many BH domains

- these include Bax and Bak

- other pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins only contain the BH3 domain such as Bid, Bim and Bad