BCL2-related protein A1

This gene encodes a member of the bcl2 protein family. The proteins of this family form hetero- or homodimers and act as anti- and pro-apoptotic regulators that are involved in a wide variety of cellular activities such as embryonic development, homeostasis, and tumorigenesis. The protein encoded by this gene can reduce the release of pro-apoptotic cytochrome c from mitochondria and block caspase activation. This gene is a direct transcription target of NF-kappa B in response to inflammatory mediators and is up-regulated by different extracellular signals, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), CD40, phorbol ester, and inflammatory cytokine TNF and IL-1, which suggests a cytoprotective function that is essential for lymphocyte activation as well as cell survival.^[7]

In melanocytic cells BCL2A1 gene expression may be regulated by MITF.^[8]

BCL2-related protein A1 has been shown to interact with:

• Bcl-2-associated X protein,^[9][10] and
• Bcl-2-associated death promoter.^[11][12]