Co-regulation of survival of motor neuron and Bcl-xL expression: Implications for neuroprotection in spinal muscular atrophy

► Expression of SMN and Bcl-xL is co-regulated. ► Bcl-xL levels are increased in PrP-SMN transgenic mouse brains. ► SMN and Bcl-xL expression reduce Sam68 levels. ► Co-expression of SMN and Bcl-xL additively protects against apoptosis. ► Exogenous SMN expression increases endogenous FL-SMN transcript levels.