Bcl-2 protein family is responsible for controlling the apoptosis processes. They are divided into two groups, namely pro-apoptosis and anti-apoptosis proteins. Therefore, when the two types of proteins are relatively balanced, the cell continues living. On the contrary, when anti-apoptosis proteins prevail, the cell will eventually die. For example, the gene Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis by inhibiting the activity of Bax and Bak proteins. However, if the amount of former proteins is not sufficient to prevent the activity of the latter ones, then the process of apoptosis will occur.
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