Bcl-2 is a protein that plays a crucial role in regulating cell death, specifically by inhibiting apoptosis, which is the process of programmed cell death. It is part of a larger family of proteins that can either promote or prevent apoptosis, helping to maintain the balance between cell survival and death in the body. This protein is particularly important in the context of cancer, as many cancer cells overexpress Bcl-2 to evade the normal cell death processes, allowing them to survive longer than they should. Understanding Bcl-2 and its functions can help in developing targeted therapies for various cancers.