Alterations in the control of apoptotic processes were observed in cells during space flight or under simulated
microgravity, the latter obtained with the 3D-Random Positioning Machine (3D-RPM).
Usually the proteins Bax and Bcl-2, act as pro- or anti-apoptotic regulators. Here we investigated the effects of
simulated microgravity obtained by the 3D-RPM on cell viability, localization and expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in
cultures of glial cancerous cells. We observed for the first time a transient cytoplasmic/nuclear translocation of
Bax and Bcl-2 triggered by changing gravity vector. Bax translocates into the nucleus after 1 h, is present
simultaneously in the cytoplasm after 6 h and comes back to the cytoplasm after 24 h. Bcl-2 translocate into the
nucleus only after 6 h and comes back to the cytoplasm after 24 h. Physiological meaning, on the regulation of
apoptotic event and possible applicative outcomes of such finding are discussed