BAX: Accelerates programmed cell death by binding to, and antagonizing the apoptosis repressor BCL2 or its adenovirus homolog E1B 19k protein. Under stress conditions, undergoes a conformation change that causes translocation to the mitochondrion membrane, leading to the release of cytochrome c that then triggers apoptosis. Promotes activation of CASP3, and thereby apoptosis. Homodimer. Forms higher oligomers under stress conditions. Interacts with BCL2L11. Interaction with BCL2L11 promotes BAX oligomerization and association with mitochondrial membranes, with subsequent release of cytochrome c. Forms heterodimers with BCL2, E1B 19K protein, BCL2L1 isoform Bcl-X(L), BCL2L2, MCL1 and A1. Interacts with SH3GLB1 and HN. Interacts with SFN and YWHAZ; the interaction occurs in the cytoplasm. Under stress conditions, JNK-mediated phosphorylation of SFN and YWHAZ, releases BAX to mitochondria. Isoform Sigma interacts with BCL2A1 and BCL2L1 isoform Bcl-X(L). Interacts with RNF144B, which regulates the ubiquitin-dependent stability of BAX. Interacts with CLU under stress conditions that cause a conformation change leading to BAX oligomerization and association with mitochondria. Does not interact with CLU in unstressed cells. Interacts with FAIM2/LFG2. Interacts with human cytomegalovirus/HHV-5 protein vMIA/UL37. Expressed in a wide variety of tissues. Isoform Psi is found in glial tumors. Isoform Alpha is expressed in spleen, breast, ovary, testis, colon and brain, and at low levels in skin and lung. Isoform Sigma is expressed in spleen, breast, ovary, testis, lung, colon, brain and at low levels in skin. Isoform Alpha and isoform Sigma are expressed in pro- myelocytic leukemia, histiocytic lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, T- cell lymphoma, lymphoblastic leukemia, breast adenocarcinoma, ovary adenocarcinoma, prostate carcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, lung carcinoma, epidermoid carcinoma, small cell lung carcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Belongs to the Bcl-2 family. 8 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.
Protein type: Membrane protein, integral; Tumor suppressor; Mitochondrial; Apoptosis
Cellular Component: mitochondrial permeability transition pore complex; endoplasmic reticulum membrane; mitochondrion; cell; endoplasmic reticulum; integral to membrane; nuclear envelope; cytosol; pore complex; mitochondrial outer membrane; membrane; mitochondrial membrane; cytoplasm; intracellular; nucleus
Molecular Function: identical protein binding; BH domain binding; protein binding; protein homodimerization activity; channel activity; protein heterodimerization activity; chaperone binding; heat shock protein binding; BH3 domain binding; protein complex binding; lipid binding
Biological Process: hypothalamus development; positive regulation of apoptosis; regulation of cell cycle; response to toxin; germ cell programmed cell death; myeloid cell homeostasis; homeostasis of number of cells; B cell apoptosis; germ cell development; post-embryonic development; regulation of apoptosis; regulation of mammary gland epithelial cell proliferation; spermatid differentiation; regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential; development of secondary sexual characteristics; protein insertion into mitochondrial membrane during induction of apoptosis; regulation of neuron apoptosis; establishment and/or maintenance of transmembrane electrochemical gradient; negative regulation of neuron apoptosis; kidney development; negative regulation of protein binding; inner mitochondrial membrane organization and biogenesis; nervous system development; release of cytochrome c from mitochondria; outer mitochondrial membrane organization and biogenesis; positive regulation of B cell apoptosis; regulation of protein homodimerization activity; cellular respiration; vagina development; protein oligomerization; fertilization; induction of apoptosis via death domain receptors; DNA damage response, signal transduction resulting in induction of apoptosis; negative regulation of fibroblast proliferation; retina development in camera-type eye; reduction of endoplasmic reticulum calcium ion concentration; glycosphingolipid metabolic process; mitochondrial fragmentation during apoptosis; response to ionizing radiation; cerebral cortex development; regulation of nitrogen utilization; post-embryonic camera-type eye morphogenesis; regulation of protein heterodimerization activity; positive regulation of pigmentation; apoptosis; T cell homeostatic proliferation; neuron migration; negative regulation of peptidyl-serine phosphorylation; positive regulation of apoptosis involved in mammary gland involution; regulation of caspase activity; release of matrix enzymes from mitochondria; response to salt stress; positive regulation of protein oligomerization; negative regulation of cell proliferation; apoptotic mitochondrial changes; B cell homeostatic proliferation; B cell homeostasis; ovarian follicle development; positive regulation of neuron apoptosis; response to wounding; response to gamma radiation; response to axon injury; B cell negative selection; transmembrane transport; protein homooligomerization; leukocyte homeostasis; caspase activation; transformed cell apoptosis; mitochondrial fusion; male gonad development; Sertoli cell proliferation; limb morphogenesis; odontogenesis of dentine-containing teeth; cell proliferation; neuron apoptosis; homeostasis of number of cells within a tissue; retinal cell programmed cell death; blood vessel remodeling; spermatogenesis; caspase activation via cytochrome c; positive regulation of release of sequestered calcium ion into cytosol; sex differentiation; response to DNA damage stimulus
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