Chicken anemia virus protein VP3 (Apoptin)

Chicken anemia virus protein VP3, commonly known as apoptin, is a 121-amino acid, proline-rich viral protein encoded by the chicken anemia virus (CAV)[1][2][3][4][5][7][10]. Apoptin has the unique property of inducing apoptosis selectively in transformed or malignant cells, but not in normal, untransformed cells[1][2][3][8]. In malignant cells, apoptin translocates to the nucleus through its distinct bipartite nuclear localization signals, multimerizes, and triggers programmed cell death, primarily via mitochondrial and caspase-3-dependent mechanisms and by interfering with DNA damage responses. It is being investigated as a tumor-specific therapeutic agent in cancer gene therapy, but has not been targeted by conventional small-molecule drugs or biologics[1][2][3][4][7][10]. Apoptin is highly specific to viral pathogenesis and is not part of the normal human proteome.

Other names

ApoptinVP3Chicken anemia virus apoptinCAV VP3

Induces apoptosis selectively in transformed and malignant cells via mitochondrial-mediated, caspase-dependent pathways and mitotic catastrophe. Translocates to the nucleus in cancer cells, where it aggregates and interferes with DNA damage repair, triggering cell death