Xerri L, Hassoun J, Devilard E, Birnbaum D, Birg F
Department of Pathology, INSERM U 119, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.
Leuk Lymphoma. 1998 Feb;28(5-6):451-8. doi: 10.3109/10428199809058352.
The BCL-X gene belongs to the family of BCL-2 homologues and plays an important role in the regulation of programmed cell death (PCD) in normal lymphoid tissues. BCL-X is transcribed into 2 mRNAs through alternative splicing. The protein product of the larger BCL-X mRNA (BCL-XL) functions as a PCD repressor. The second mRNA species, BCL-XS, encodes a protein capable of accelerating cell death. BCL-XL is a potential contributor to the pathogenesis of malignant lymphomas because the BCL-XL isoform is predominantly expressed by the neoplastic cells in the majority of lymphoma cases. This review is focused on the possible influence of BCL-X and other PCD regulatory agents on lymphomagenesis.
