The Bcl name is derived from B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and was given to genes involved in that disease. Members of the Bcl2 family share homologous domains (BH) through which they are able to homo- and hetero-dimerize. Apoptosis/survival is regulated by the relative balance of pro-apoptotic (Bax, BclXS, Bak, Bad) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl2, BclXL, Mcl-1, Dad-1) family members, and their heterodimerization. Bcl2 plays an important role in cytochrome c release from the mitochondria; it also binds Apaf1, inhibiting Apaf-1 association with caspase-9. Bcl-2 overexpression in indicated in a number of human cancers, including melanoma, breast, prostate, and lung, and it correlates with resistance to cancer treatment (presumably due to decreased apoptosis). Bcl-2 has also been implicated in schizophrenia and autoimmune disorders.