The Bad encoded by this gene is a member of the BCL-2 family. BCL-2 family members are known to be regulators of programmed cell death. Bad positively regulates cell apoptosis by forming heterodimers with BCL-xL and BCL-2, and reversing their death repressor activity. Proapoptotic activity of this protein is regulated through its phosphorylation. Protein kinases AKT and MAP kinase, as well as protein phosphatase calcineurin were found to be involved in the regulation of this protein.
