Bax is proapoptoticmolecules of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. It also is a key regulator of apoptosis that functions to either inhibit or promote cell death. Apoptosis is mediated through two major pathways, the death receptor pathway and the mitochondrial pathway. The mitochondrial pathway is controlled and regulated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins. This protein family can be divided into antiapoptotic (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bcl-w, Mcl-1, A1) and proapoptotic (Bax, Bak, Bok/Mtd, Bcl-Xs, Bid, Bad, Bik/Nbk, Bim, Blk) members. Furthermore, Bax protein forms homodimers and heterodimers with Bcl-2 in vivo and can induce Bcl-2-inhibited apoptosis. Both Bax and Bak commonly play a critical role in cytochrome c release from mitochondria and thus initiate apoptosis. Cells lacking both Bak and Bax do notundergo apoptosis in response to death stimuli, such as DNAdamaging agents, signal transduction through death receptors,growth factor deprivation, and ER stress.

The antibody is stable for at least 1 year from the date of receipt when stored at -20°C to -70°C. Reconstituted antibody can also be aliquotted and stored at 4°C for 1 month or at -20°C to -70°C in a manual defrost freezer for many months without detectable loss activity. Please avoid freeze-thaw cycles.

The antibody is able to bind to immunized peptide, but not other unrelated peptides in ELISA. It also specifically detects cellular protein derived from selected cell lines. It recognizes Bax in both ELISA and WB. This antibody shows no cross-reactivity with other unrelated protein.