[5][6][7] It was originally discovered by Leonie Gibson, Suzanne Cory and colleagues at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, who called it Bcl-w.[8] This gene encodes a pro-survival (anti-apoptotic) member of the bcl-2 protein family, and is most similar to Bcl-xL.

[7] The proteins of this family form hetero- or homodimers and act as anti- and pro-apoptotic regulators.

Mutation and knockout studies of the mouse gene demonstrated an essential role in adult spermatogenesis.

[7] Elevated levels of Bcl-w has been shown to protect neurons from cell death induced by amyloid beta.

[7] Parkinson's disease patients with a mutant PARK2 gene have elevated Bcl-w.[7] Bcl-w has been shown to contribute to cellular senescence.