IAP proteins: blocking the road to death's door

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2002 Jun;3(6):401-10. doi: 10.1038/nrm830.

Abstract

The 'inhibitor of apoptosis' (IAP) gene family, which was discovered less than a decade ago, encodes a group of structurally related proteins that, in addition to their ability to suppress apoptotic cell death, are involved in an increasing number of seemingly unrelated cellular functions. Here, we review the functional and structural properties of this fascinating group of proteins, and of several recently identified IAP-binding factors that regulate IAP function.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • Binding Sites
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / physiology*
  • Proteins*

Substances

  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Proteins