Q12983

BNIP3 (also designated NIP3) is a mitochondrial protein that contains a BH3 domain and acts as a pro-apoptotic factor. The encoded protein interacts with anti-apoptotic proteins, including the E1B 19 kDa protein and Bcl2. This gene is silenced in tumors by DNA methylation. The adenovirus E1B protein is a viral homolog of the Bcl-2 family of proteins that are involved in regulating cell death. A family of interacting proteins, which are designated Nip or Bnip and include BNIP-1, BNIP-2, BNIP-3 and Nix, associate with both the E1B protein and Bcl-2 proteins to mediate apoptotic signaling. BNIP-3 preferentially binds to Bcl-xL and induces apoptosis by suppressing the anti-apoptosis activity of Bcl-xL.