[HTML][HTML] Tissue expression and subcellular localization of the pro-survival molecule Bcl-w

LA O'Reilly, G Hausmann, K Moriishi, S Cory… - Cell Death & …, 2001 - nature.com
LA O'Reilly, G Hausmann, K Moriishi, S Cory, DCS Huang, A Strasser
Cell Death & Differentiation, 2001nature.com
Anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family, such as Bcl-w, maintain cell viability by
preventing the activation of the cell death effectors, the caspases. Gene targeting
experiments in mice have demonstrated that Bcl-w is required for spermatogenesis and for
survival of damaged epithelial cells in the gut. Bcl-w is, however, dispensable for
physiological cell death in other tissues. Here we report on the analysis of Bcl-w protein
expression using a panel of novel monoclonal antibodies. Bcl-w is found in a diverse range …
Abstract
Anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family, such as Bcl-w, maintain cell viability by preventing the activation of the cell death effectors, the caspases. Gene targeting experiments in mice have demonstrated that Bcl-w is required for spermatogenesis and for survival of damaged epithelial cells in the gut. Bcl-w is, however, dispensable for physiological cell death in other tissues. Here we report on the analysis of Bcl-w protein expression using a panel of novel monoclonal antibodies. Bcl-w is found in a diverse range of tissues including colon, brain and testes. A survey of transformed cell lines and purified hematopoietic cells demonstrated that Bcl-w is expressed in cells of myeloid, lymphoid and epithelial origin. Subcellular fractionation and confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that Bcl-w protein is associated with intracellular membranes. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of the phenotype of Bcl-w-null mice and recent data that suggest that Bcl-w may play a role in colon carcinogenesis.
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