BCL(X)L and BCL2 increase mitochondrial dynamics in breast cancer cell: Evidence from functional and genetic studies

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2021 Sep;1868(10):119095. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119095. Epub 2021 Jun 30.

Abstract

BCL2 family proteins are important regulators of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). In recent years, BCL2 family proteins have also been linked to the regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics. Given their overexpression in breast cancer cells, we sought to explore whether two key members of this family, BCL2 and BCL(X)L impacted on mitochondrial fusion/fission processes. By employing a single cell imaging and RNA sequencing we found that overexpression of BCL2 or BCL(X)L increases mitochondrial dynamics and alters the expression profile of genes involved in this process. Collectively, our data show that overexpression of BCL2 proteins regulates mitochondrial dynamics in breast cancer tumor cells.

Keywords: BCL2 proteins; Breast cancer; Fusion/fission; Mitochondria; Single cell imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / pathology
  • Mitochondrial Dynamics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism*
  • bcl-X Protein / genetics
  • bcl-X Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • BCL2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • bcl-X Protein