Expression of Bcl 2a oncoprotein has been shown to inhibit the programmed cell death (apoptosis).
In most follicular lymphomas, neoplastic germinal centers express high levels of Bcl 2a protein, whereas the normal or hyperplastic germinal centers are negative.
Bcl 2 belongs to a family of genetically related proteins that appear to regulate apoptosis or programmed cell death.
Bcl 2 is encoded by a proto-oncogene (bcl-2) that is the mammalian homolog of ced-9, the C.
elegans death suppressor gene.
Overexpression of Bcl 2 appears to suppress apoptosis in a number of mammalian experimental systems.
Recent evidence indicates that Bcl 2 binds to other family members and R-ras and influences antioxidant pathways in the cell.
Bcl 2 is a 25kD protein that has extensive amino acid homology with Bax.
It forms homodimers or heterodimers with Bax and the apoptotic activity depends on the balance of both molecules.
The t(14;18) translocation, which is a hallmark of human follicular lymphoma, generally involves the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene on chromosome 14 and the bcl-2 gene on chromosome 18.
This translocation results in overexpression of the bcl-2 gene product (Bcl 2), promoting cell survival by blocking programmed cell death induced by different apoptotic stimuli.
