MCL1

MCL1, a member of the Bcl-2 family, is an anti-apoptotic protein that curbs cell death by interacting with pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Ubiquitous in its expression across various cell types, MCL1 is particularly influential in hematopoietic stem cells and neurons. Its function is centered around its role on the mitochondrial membrane, where it engages with other Bcl-2 family members at the BH3 binding site to govern cell survival and apoptosis. MCL1's expression and stability fluctuate under cellular stress, thereby impacting cell fate. Beyond apoptosis, MCL1 regulates non-apoptotic processes like the cell cycle, DNA damage response, autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and energy metabolism. Imbalances in MCL1 expression are tied to various diseases, especially in cancer, where its overexpression is associated with tumor development, poor prognosis, and resistance to treatment.