Gossypol: from contraceptive for men to antitumoral activity

It is widely thought that Bcl-2 family proteins regulate commitment to apoptosis primarily through their capacity tocontrol the permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) triggers the release of multipleapoptogenic factors into the cytosol and, thereby apoptosis. Various Bcl-2 family members affect this key event of theapoptotic cascade in different ways, determining their pro- or anti-apoptotic status. The Bcl-2-type proteins inhibitMOMP, thereby preserving cell viability. In contrast, Bax-type proteins and the diverse group of BH3-only proteinsfacilitate MOMP and thus promote cell death. Recently, several drugs that act as BH3 mimetics have been identified,including Gossypol. This review revisits the proprieties of gossypol family, their using as anticancer agents for cancertherapy.