In contrast to the pro-survival function of Bcl-2 and
Bcl-xL, Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) promotes apoptosis
of neurons in the nervous system. Neurons lacking
the pro-apoptotic protein Bax are protected against apoptosis
induced by growth factor deprivation and axotomy
(Deckwerth et al., 1996; Miller et al., 1997). Furthermore,
bax deficiency results in the elimination of developmental
cell death in many neuronal populations in the nervous
system (White et al., 1998). Similarly, the deletion of Bax
and Bak has a synergistic effect and leads to a generalized
increase in cell number in multiple regions of the brain