Bcl2 Associated Death Promoter (BAD)

The Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) protein is a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 gene family which is involved in initiating apoptosis. It does not contain a C-terminal transmembrane domain for outer mitochondrial membrane and nuclear envelope targeting, unlike most other members of the Bcl-2 family . After activation, it is able to form a heterodimer with anti-apoptotic proteins and prevent them from stopping apoptosis. The Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) protein is a member of the Bcl-2 gene family. Some members of this family are pro-apoptotic (e.g., Bax, Bak) while others are anti-apoptotic (e.g., Bcl-2, Bcl-xL). Bax/Bak are believed to initiate apoptosis by forming a pore in the mitochondrial outer membrane that allows cytochrome c to escape into the cytoplasm and activate the pro-apoptotic caspase cascade.