Involvement of p53 and Bcl-2 family proteins in regulating programmed cell death and proliferation in human embryogenesis.

Homeostasis and development in vertebrates are regulated by cell proliferation, differentiation and death. Permeability of mitochondrial membranes, a decisive feature of apoptosis, is regulated by Bcl-2 family regulators. Protein p53 is able to reduce bcl-2 and promote bax expression.