BCL2L11
Description
The BCL2L11 (BCL2 like 11) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 2.
BCL2L11, also known as BIM, is a gene that encodes a protein belonging to the Bcl-2 family. This family regulates apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death, by forming complexes that either promote or inhibit cell death. BIM contains a BH3 domain and acts as an apoptotic activator, interacting with other Bcl-2 family members, including BCL2, BCL2L1 (BCL-X(L)), and MCL1. Its expression can be induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) and the transcription factor FKHR-L1 (FoxO3a), suggesting a role in neuronal and lymphocyte apoptosis. Studies in mice have shown that BIM is essential for thymocyte-negative selection, a process eliminating self-reactive T cells. Several alternative transcript variants of BCL2L11 have been identified. Regulation of BIM expression and activity occurs at multiple levels, including transcription, translation, and post-translation. Cancer cells often suppress BIM expression, contributing to tumor progression and metastasis.
BCL2L11 (BIM) induces apoptosis and anoikis. Its isoform BimL is more potent than BimEL. Isoforms Bim-alpha1, Bim-alpha2, and Bim-alpha3 induce apoptosis, but less potent than BimEL, BimL, and BimS. Bim-gamma also induces apoptosis. Bim-alpha3 possibly induces apoptosis through a caspase-mediated pathway. Isoforms BimAC and BimABC lack the ability to induce apoptosis.
BCL2L11 is also known as BAM, BIM, BOD.
