Abstract

Bcl-2 family consists proteins responsible for apoptosis regulation. Influence of those factors on the cell viability is essential in the context of viral infections. Antiapoptotic activity of Mcl-1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bcl-w may favor effective replication IAV by keeping infected cell alive. On the other hand, Bcl-2 plays antiviral role at the late stage of IAV infection. Limiting the transport of newly synthesized vRNP from the cell nucleus to cytosol, Bcl-2 prevents effective montage of the progeny virions. Moreover Bcl-2 is responsible for modification of the IAV HA phosphorylation and consequently for decrease in virus adhesive abilities. Preclinical studies suggest that treatment strategies reducing activity or the intracellular level of Mcl-1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and/or Bcl-w, should be projected. Antiapoptotic members of Bcl-2 family are described as potential targets of anti-IAV therapies that use substances such as IL-24, obatoclax, ABT-199, ABT-263 and ABT-737. On the other hand, the therapy elevating activity or intraneuronal level of Bcl-2 should be considered in the context of nervous system infections.

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