The mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor as a potential target protein for drug development: Demonstration of functional significance with cell lines exhibiting differential expression of Bcl-2

Abstract

The article highlighted in this issue is "Reversal of Bcl-2 Mediated Resistance of the EW36 Human B-Cell Lymphoma Cell Line to Arsenite and Pesticide-Induced Apoptosis by PK11195, a Ligand of the Mitochondrial Benzodiazepine Receptor" by Donna E. Muscarella, Kerry A. O'Brien, Ann T. Lemley, and Stephen E. Bloom from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY (pp. 66-73). The following brief review summarizes their findings, highlights the novel biological model and experimental approach used, and explores potential mechanistic and therapeutic implications of these findings.