Structure and function of bak gene and its apoptosis-inducing mechanism

The Bcl-2 family plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis. So me members in the family prevent apoptosis while others promote it. The new ly discovered bcl-2 homolog, bak, promotes the apoptosis induced by a varie ty of stimuli. It can interact with the anti-apoptotic members through its BH3 domain and antagonize their activity. Investigation results suggest tha t the expression of bak gene becomes altered in some diseases, such as canc er. The preferential stimulation of Bak-induced apoptosis, therefore, may b e involved in the mechanisms of some antitumor drugs.