Immunohistochemical localization of BAX and BAD in the normal and BCL-2 null gastrointestinal tract

BAX and BAD are members of the BCL-2 family of proteins. The over-expression of BAX protein has been shown to accelerate apoptosis and increasedbax mRNA levels have also been shown to be associated with the initiation of apoptosis. BAD has also been shown to accelerate apoptosis. In this paper we describe the localization of BAD and BAX expression throughout the gastrointestinal tract of the mouse and the effect that BCL-2 has on the expression of these two proteins. We have discussed the distribution of BAX and BAD in relation to the differences between the small and large bowel in (i) the susceptibility of stem cells to apoptosis and (ii) tumour incidence.This work was supported by the Cancer Research Campaign.