Potent inhibitor of cell death. Inhibits activation of caspases. Appears to regulate cell death by blocking the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) by binding to it and preventing the release of the caspase activator, CYC1, from the mitochondrial membrane. Also acts as a regulator of G2 checkpoint and progression to cytokinesis during mitosis.
"bcl-x, a bcl-2-related gene that functions as a dominant regulator of apoptotic cell death." Boise L.H., Gonzalez-Garcia M., Postema C.E., Ding L., Lindsten T., Turka L.A., Mao X., Nunez G., Thompson C.B. Cell 74:597-608(1993) [PubMed] [Europe PMC] [Abstract]
