This gene encodes a cytoplasmic protein that initiates apoptosis. This protein contains several copies of the WD-40 domain, a caspase recruitment domain (CARD), and an ATPase domain (NB-ARC). Upon binding cytochrome c and dATP, this protein forms an oligomeric apoptosome. The apoptosome binds and cleaves caspase 9 preproprotein, releasing its mature, activated form. Activated caspase 9 stimulates the subsequent caspase cascade that commits the cell to apoptosis. Alternative splicing results in several transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008],
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Function:
Domain:The CARD domain mediates interaction with APIP.,Function:Oligomeric Apaf-1 mediates the cytochrome c-dependent autocatalytic activation of pro-caspase-9 (Apaf-3), leading to the activation of caspase-3 and apoptosis. This activation requires ATP. Isoform 6 is less effective in inducing apoptosis.,induction:By E2F and p53 in apoptotic neurons.,similarity:Contains 1 CARD domain.,similarity:Contains 1 NB-ARC domain.,similarity:Contains 13 WD repeats.,subunit:Monomer. Oligomerizes upon binding of cytochrome c and dATP. Oligomeric Apaf-1 and pro-caspase-9 bind to each other via their respective NH2-terminal CARD domains and consecutively mature caspase-9 is released from the complex. Pro-caspase-3 is recruited into the Apaf-1-pro-caspase-9 complex via interaction with pro-caspase-9. Interacts with APIP.,tissue specificity:Ubiquitous. Highest levels of expression in adult spleen and peripheral blood leukocytes, and in fetal brain, kidney and lung. Isoform 1 is expressed in heart, kidney and liver.,
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Cellular Localization:
Cytoplasm .
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Tissue Expression:
Ubiquitous. Highest levels of expression in adult spleen and peripheral blood leukocytes, and in fetal brain, kidney and lung. Isoform 1 is expressed in heart, kidney and liver.
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Research Areas:
>>Platinum drug resistance ;
>>p53 signaling pathway ;
>>Apoptosis ;
>>Apoptosis - multiple species ;
>>Alzheimer disease ;
>>Parkinson disease ;
>>Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ;
>>Huntington disease ;
>>Prion disease ;
>>Pathways of neurodegeneration - multiple diseases ;
>>Legionellosis ;
>>Tuberculosis ;
>>Hepatitis C ;
>>Hepatitis B ;
>>Measles ;
>>Influenza A ;
>>Herpes simplex virus 1 infection ;
>>Epstein-Barr virus infection ;
>>Pathways in cancer ;
>>Small cell lung cancer ;
>>Lipid and atherosclerosis