Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein Family (IAP)

The Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) are a family of functionally and structurally related proteins that play a central role in regulating programmed cell death (apoptosis), as well as modulating immune responses and inflammation. IAPs are best known for their ability to inhibit apoptosis by directly binding to and inhibiting caspases, the key executioner proteases in the apoptotic pathway. They can also regulate cell death through caspase-independent mechanisms, including modulation of signaling pathways such as NF-κB. Overexpression is frequently observed in cancers; contributes to tumor survival, chemoresistance, disease progression. Because many tumors overexpress one or more IAPs—often accompanied by downregulation of natural antagonists like Smac—they have become attractive targets for anticancer drug development.

Other names

BIRC1NAIPBIRC2cIAP1BIRC3cIAP2BIRC4XIAPBIRC5SurvivinBIRC6ApollonBRUCEBIRC7LivinMelanoma IAPBIRC8

Antagonize IAP function, re-sensitizing cancer cells to apoptosis-inducing therapies