Bcl-2-like protein 1 is a protein encoded in humans by the BCL2L1 gene. Through alternative splicing, the gene encodes both of the human proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-xS. Function The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the Bcl-2 protein family. Bcl-2 family members form hetero- or homodimers and act as anti- or pro-apoptotic regulators that are involved in a wide variety of cellular activities. The proteins encoded by this gene are located at the outer mitochondrial membrane, and have been shown to regulate outer mitochondrial membrane channel (voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) opening. VDACs regulate mitochondrial membrane potential, and thus controls the production of reactive oxygen species and release of cytochrome C by mitochondria, both of which are the potent inducers of cell apoptosis. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants, which encode distinct isoforms, have been reported. The longer isoform (Bcl-xL) acts as an apoptotic inhibitor and the shorter form (Bcl-xS) acts as an apoptotic activator. Interactions BCL2-like 1 (gene) has been shown to interact with: APAF1, BAK1, BCAP31, BCL2L11, BNIP3, BNIPL, BAD, BAX, BIK, Bcl-2, HRK, IKZF3, Noxa, PPP1CA, PSEN2 RAD9A, RTN1, RTN4, and VDAC1. References Further reading External links Proteins Apoptosis