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. 1995 Nov 15;14(22):5589–5596. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1995.tb00246.x

A conserved domain in Bak, distinct from BH1 and BH2, mediates cell death and protein binding functions.

T Chittenden 1, C Flemington 1, A B Houghton 1, R G Ebb 1, G J Gallo 1, B Elangovan 1, G Chinnadurai 1, R J Lutz 1
PMCID: PMC394673  PMID: 8521816

Abstract

Regulation of the cell death program involves physical interactions between different members of the Bcl-2 family that either promote or suppress apoptosis. The Bcl-2 homolog, Bak, promotes apoptosis and binds anti-apoptotic family members including Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. We have identified a domain in Bak that is both necessary and sufficient for cytotoxic activity and binding to Bcl-xL. Sequences similar to this domain were identified in Bax and Bip1, two other proteins that promote apoptosis and interact with Bcl-xL, and were likewise critical for their capacity to kill cells and bind Bcl-xL. Thus, the domain is of central importance in mediating the function of multiple cell death-regulatory proteins that interact with Bcl-2 family members.

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