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The inhibitors of apoptosis: there is more to life than Bcl2

Peter Liston1, Wai Gin Fong, Robert G Korneluk

  • 1Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Research Institute, 401 Smyth Raod, Ottawa, Canada K1H 8L1.

Oncogene
|November 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) regulate cell death and are often overexpressed in cancers, acting as oncogenes. Targeting IAPs offers a promising strategy for cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins are conserved regulators of programmed cell death (apoptosis).
  • IAPs directly inhibit caspases, crucial executioners of apoptosis, thereby controlling cell fate.
  • Endogenous proteins, such as second mitochondrial activator of caspases and Omi, regulate IAP function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and function of IAP family members and their inhibitors.
  • To survey evidence for IAP dysregulation in cancer.
  • To discuss the role of IAPs as oncogenes and potential therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of IAP structure, function, and regulation.
  • Analysis of experimental data on IAP overexpression in neurodegenerative disease models.
  • Examination of genetic evidence (amplification, translocation) and expression data in cancer.

Main Results:

  • IAP overexpression is protective in neurodegenerative disease models.
  • IAP overexpression is frequent in cancer cell lines and tumors.
  • Genetic alterations support classifying IAPs as oncogenes.

Conclusions:

  • IAPs play a critical role in cell fate determination.
  • IAP dysregulation, particularly overexpression, is implicated in oncogenesis.
  • Targeting IAP function represents a potential adjuvant cancer therapy strategy.

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