BFL-1, A BCL-2 HOMOLOG, SUPPRESSES P53-INDUCED APOPTOSIS AND EXHIBITSPOTENT COOPERATIVE TRANSFORMING ACTIVITY

The bcl-2 family of genes code for proteins that contain anti-apoptoti c or pro-apoptotic activity. The human bfl-1 gene contains an open rea ding frame for a 175-amino acid Bcl-2 family protein. Among the variou s Bcl-2 family members, the Bfl-1 protein shares the highest homology with the mouse A1 protein. These two proteins share three conserved do mains, Bcl homology (BH)1, BH2, and BH3, with other Bcl-2 family prote ins. Unlike other Bcl-2 family members, Bfl-1 contains a Gln-rich NH2- terminal region and lacks an NH (19K homology) domain 1. We demonstrat e that the Bfl-1 protein suppresses apoptosis induced by the p53 tumor suppressor protein in a manner similar to other Bcl-2 family members such as Bcl-2, Bcl-x, and EBV-BHRF1. In addition, the bfl-1 gene coope rates efficiently with the E1a oncogene in transformation of primary r odent epithelial cells. Our results suggest that the human bJI-1 gene may play an important role in carcinogenesis.