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| Loss of myocardial cells via apoptosis has been characterized in ischemic heart disease. BH3-only proteins of Bcl-2 family are essential initiators of apoptosis during heart ischemia and hypoxia. Multiple BH3-only proteins, such as Bnip3, Nix, Puma, Bid and Bad, have been upregulated and shown to contribute to the cell death via apoptosis pathway during myocardial ischemia. Autophagic flux is activated in ischemic heart disease due to the short supply of nutrients. BH3-only proteins also control the initiation of autophagy which is another important pathway regulating cell survival and death. A novel BH3-only protein, beclin-1, plays a critical role in autophagy. Autophagy functions as cardioprotective pathway to overcome the stress through against apoptosis, but prolonged activation can result in cell death. Here we review the roles of BH-3 only proteins in myocardial ischemia. |
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| Keywords:BH3-only proteins; myocardial ischemia; apoptosia;autophagy |
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