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Bcl-2 gene family in endocrine pathology: A review

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Abstract

Bcl-2 is a member of a large multigene family, which includes genes that can inhibit or promote apoptosis. The regulation of apoptosis is achieved by homo- or heterodimerization of their proteins through four highly conserved domains. Bcl-2 protein is a strong cell death suppressor in a wide range of cell types and under a variety of stimuli. Bcl-2 and the other members of this family are differentially expressed in the endocrine glands and disregulation of their expression seems to contribute to the neoplastic transformation in these organs. The significance of bcl-2 and the related proteins for endocrine pathology at the experimental and clinical level is reviewed in this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Division of Molecular Pathology, Amalia Fleming Hospital, Melissia

    Kapranos Nikiforos MD & George Kontogeorgos MD

  2. Department of Pathology, G. Gennimatas Athens General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Kapranos Nikiforos MD & George Kontogeorgos MD

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  1. Kapranos Nikiforos MD
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  2. George Kontogeorgos MD
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Correspondence to Kapranos Nikiforos MD.

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Nikiforos, K., Kontogeorgos, G. Bcl-2 gene family in endocrine pathology: A review. Endocr Pathol 11, 205–213 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1385/EP:11:3:205

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