Beclin 1: a BH3-only protein that fails to induce apoptosis

Beclin 1 has been recently shown to possess a Bcl-2 homology-3 (BH3) domain that mediates its interaction with antiapoptotic multidomain proteins. Unlike other BH3-only proteins, Beclin 1 fails to stimulate apoptosis when it is overexpressed. In this issue of Oncogene, Ciechomska et al. report the intriguing finding that Bcl-2, as it interacts with Beclin 1, does not lose its anti-apoptotic potential. This finding may have far-reaching implications for the comprehension of the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagy. Oncogene (2009) 28, 2125-2127; doi: 10.1038/onc.2009.83; published online 27 April 2009