BCL2A1 Research Reagents

BCL2A1 Background

Bcl-2-related protein A1 also called Bcl-2 related gene expressed in fetal liver (Bfl-1), is a protein in humans that is encoded by the BCL2A1 gene on chromosome 15q24.3 ^[1]. BCL2A1 possesses four BH-domain: BH1-BH4. Crystal structures of BCL2A1 in complex with BH3-peptides revealed that it displays a similar hydrophobic groove as observed on all related anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) proteins ^[2]. Although BCL2A1 does not exhibit a well-defined C-terminal transmembrane domain identified in other anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, its C-terminus is essential for the anti-apoptotic function and the subcellular localization of BCL2A1 ^[3]. BCL2A1 protein is particularly important in the hematopoietic system ^[10] and executes its anti-apoptotic function by sequestering pro-apoptotic BCL2 proteins ^[4]. The transcription of BCL2A1 is induced by NF-kappa B^[5], retinoic X receptors (RXR) agonists ^[6], and WT-1 ^[7], but inhibited by the plasma cell transcription factor PRDI-BF1/Blimp-1 ^[8]. The identification of BCL2A1 as an NF-κB target gene shows that the formation of inflammasomes may also induce the expression of BCL2A1, thus promoting the survival of the pro-inflammatory cells during inflammation. The stability of BCL2A1 protein is regulated by proteasomal degradation ^[9]. BCL2A1 overexpression has been found in various hematological malignancies ^[10] as well as solid tumors ^[11] and seems to be notably associated with advanced or metastatic disease stages ^[12]. Besides a potential role in tumorigenesis, BCL2A1 overexpression is also involved in the resistance for chemotherapy.

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