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. 1995 May 9;92(10):4304–4308. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.10.4304

bcl-x is expressed in embryonic and postnatal neural tissues and functions to prevent neuronal cell death.

M González-García 1, I García 1, L Ding 1, S O'Shea 1, L H Boise 1, C B Thompson 1, G Núñez 1
PMCID: PMC41932  PMID: 7753802

Abstract

Previous studies have implicated the bcl-2 protooncogene as a potential regulator of neuronal survival. However, mice lacking functional bcl-2 exhibited normal development and maintenance of the central nervous system (CNS). Since bcl-2 appears dispensable for neuronal survival, we have examined the expression and function of bcl-x, another member of the bcl-2 family of death regulatory genes. Bcl-2 is expressed in neuronal tissues during embryonic development but is down-regulated in the adult CNS. In contrast, Bcl-xL expression is retained in neurons of the adult CNS. Two different forms of bcl-x mRNA and their corresponding products, Bcl-xL and Bcl-x beta, were expressed in embryonic and adult neurons of the CNS. Microinjection of bcl-xL and bcl-x beta cDNAs into primary sympathetic neurons inhibited their death induced by nerve growth factor withdrawal. Thus, Bcl-x proteins appear to play an important role in the regulation of neuronal survival in the adult CNS.

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Selected References

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