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BAX Inhibitor-1, an ancient cell death suppressor in animals and plants with prokaryotic relatives

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Abstract

BAX Inhibitor-1 (BI-1) was originally described as testis enhanced gene transcript in mammals. Functional screening in yeast for human proteins that can inhibit the cell death provoking function of BAX, a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member, led to functional characterisation and renaming of BI-1. The identification of functional homologues of BI-1 in plants and yeast widened the understanding of BI-1 function as an ancient suppressor of programmed cell death. BI-1 is one of the few cell death suppressors conserved in animals and plants. Computer predictions and experimental data together suggest that BI-1 is a membrane spanning protein with 6 to 7 transmembrane domains and a cytoplasmic C-terminus sticking in the endoplasmatic reticulum and nuclear envelope. Proteins similar to BI-1 are present in other eukaryotes, bacteria, and even viruses encode BI-1 like proteins. BI-1 is involved in development, response to biotic and abiotic stress and probably represents an indispensable cell protectant. BI-1 appears to suppress cell death induced by mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species or elevated cytosolic Ca2+ levels. This review focuses on the present understanding about BI-1 and suggests potential directions for further analyses of this increasingly noticed protein.

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  1. Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff Ring 26-32, D-35392, Giessen, Germany

    R. Hückelhoven

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Hückelhoven, R. BAX Inhibitor-1, an ancient cell death suppressor in animals and plants with prokaryotic relatives. Apoptosis 9, 299–307 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:APPT.0000025806.71000.1c

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