INTERFERENCE OF BCL-2 WITH INTERCELLULAR CONTROL OF CARCINOGENESIS

Induction of apoptosis in transformed fibroblasts by surrounding norma l cells has been discussed as a potent early control step in carcinoge nesis. According to this hypothesis, tumor progression should require resistance of transformed cells against this TGF-beta-triggered contro l mechanism, Here we show that Bcl-2, a protein involved in inhibition of apoptosis, can protect transformed cells from induction of apoptot is by surrounding cells. Rather than acting on the transformation proc ess itself, Bcl-2 may thus represent an efficient modulator of carcino genesis at an intercellular level. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.