BAX protein

BAX is a protein that helps regulate cell death, specifically by promoting apoptosis, which is a natural process of cell elimination. When a cell is damaged or no longer needed, BAX becomes active and initiates a series of events that lead to the destruction of the cell. It does this by forming channels in the mitochondria (the cell’s energy producers), allowing molecules to escape and trigger the cell’s self-destruction process. BAX plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy tissues by removing harmful or damaged cells, and its activity is tightly controlled to prevent unnecessary cell loss.