BAG1 (also known as BCL2-associated athanogene) is a membrane protein rich in glutamic acid residues that binds to BCL2 and blocks apoptosis or programmed cell death. The BAG1-BCL2 complex enhances the anti-apoptotic effects of BCL2 and represents a link between growth factor receptors and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Overexpression of BAG1 in 3T3 fibroblasts prevents apoptosis in the presence of low serum. BAG1 has also been shown to interact with activated glucocorticoid, androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptors. Binding to these receptors by BAG1 is dependent on receptor activation.
Biochemical Society transactions, 33(Pt 4), 676-678 (2005-07-27)
Although the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene RB1 is inactivated in a wide variety of human cancers, the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) has been shown to be overexpressed in colon cancers, which is linked to the anti-apoptotic function of the protein. However, the
BAG-1 is a multifunctional and anti-apoptotic or anti-cell death protein that interacts with a variety of cellular proteins and affects their functions. On the cell surface, it binds to the cytosolic domain of the growth factor receptors and enhances the
