Induction of apoptosis by the Bcl-2 homologue Bak (original) (raw)

Nature volume 374, pages 733–736 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

CELLS are eliminated in a variety of physiological settings by apoptosis, a genetically encoded process of cellular suicide1,2. Apoptosis comprises an intrinsic cellular defence against tumorigenesis, which, when suppressed, may contribute to the development of malignancies3. The _bcl_-2oncogene, which is activated in follicular lymphomas, functions as a potent suppressor of apoptosis under diverse conditions4. Here we describe the complementary DNA cloning and functional analysis of a new Bcl-2 homologue, Bak, which promotes cell death and counteracts the protection from apoptosis provided by Bcl-2. Moreover, enforced expression of Bak induces rapid and extensive apoptosis of serum-deprived fibroblasts. This raises the possibility that Bak is directly involved in activating the cell death machinery.

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Author notes

  1. Elizabeth A. Harrington and Gerard I. Evan: Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Apoptosis Technology Inc., 148 Sidney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
    Thomas Chittenden, Elizabeth A. Harrington, Rosemary O'Connor, Cathy Remington, Robert J. Lutz, Gerard I. Evan & Braydon C. Guild

Authors

  1. Thomas Chittenden
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  2. Elizabeth A. Harrington
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  3. Rosemary O'Connor
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  4. Cathy Remington
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  5. Robert J. Lutz
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  6. Gerard I. Evan
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  7. Braydon C. Guild
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Chittenden, T., Harrington, E., O'Connor, R. et al. Induction of apoptosis by the Bcl-2 homologue Bak.Nature 374, 733–736 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/374733a0

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