Why doesn't Beclin 1, a BH3-only protein, suppress the anti-apoptotic function of Bcl-2?

Autophagy. 2009 Aug;5(6):880-1. doi: 10.4161/auto.9096. Epub 2009 Aug 22.

Abstract

Beclin 1 binds to Bcl-2 through its BH3 domain and this interaction inhibits starvation-induced autophagy. However, we have found that when Beclin 1 binds thus to Bcl-2, it fails to inhibit Bcl-2-mediated protection against four different inducers of apoptosis. In this punctum, we discuss possible reasons why Beclin 1 fails to behave like other BH3-only proteins and induce apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • Apoptosis*
  • Autophagy
  • Beclin-1
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • BECN1 protein, human
  • Beclin-1
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2