Background
The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the BCL-2 protein family. BCL-2 family members form hetero- or homodimers and act as anti- or pro-apoptotic regulators that are involved in a wide variety of cellular activities. It is a potent inhibitor of cell death through inhibiting activation of caspases. It also acts as a regulator of G2 checkpoint and progression to cytokinesis during mitosis.
Reference
Muchmore SW, Sattler M, Liang H, Meadows RP, Harlan JE, Yoon HS, Nettesheim D, Chang BS, Thompson CB, Wong SL, Ng SL, Fesik SW. X-ray and nmr structure of human bcl-xl, an inhibitor of programmed cell death. Nature (1996) 381 p.335