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Description

Mcl-1 (Induced myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein) is a potential transmembrane protein associated with the mitochondria belonging to the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Members of the Bcl-2 family have known participation in regulatory roles for apoptosis, cell growth, and differentiation. The hydrophobic carboxyl terminus is conserved among members of this family and in other members has proven to be a transmembrane region. Mcl-1 is found to be expressed early in myeloid differentiation. Two separate isoforms of Mcl-1 exist with opposing functions. Full length Mcl-1 (Isoform 1) promotes cell viability, over proliferation. Isoform 2 results from the skipping of the central exon of Mcl-1 during mRNA processing and the joining of the first and third exons. The function of the resulting protein induces apoptosis when accumulated. Pro-apoptotic function is shown to increase when isoform 1 and 2 dimerize.