BIRC7 Human, (1-280 a.a.)
Description
BIRC7 is fused to a 24 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Baculoviral IAP Repeat-Containing 7 (BIRC7), also known as Livin, is a protein encoded by the BIRC7 gene in humans. This protein is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, which plays a crucial role in regulating apoptosis, or programmed cell death . The recombinant form of this protein, specifically the 1-280 amino acid (a.a.) segment, is often used in research to study its structure and function.
BIRC7 contains a single baculoviral IAP repeat (BIR) domain and a RING-type zinc finger domain . The BIR domain is essential for its inhibitory activity, as it interacts with caspases, which are enzymes that play a key role in the execution phase of cell apoptosis . The RING finger domain, while not directly inhibiting apoptosis, can enhance the anti-apoptotic activity of the protein .
The primary function of BIRC7 is to inhibit apoptosis by interfering with the proteolytic activation of caspases . This inhibition is crucial for cell survival, especially in the context of cancer, where overexpression of BIRC7 has been observed in various types of tumors, including lung, colon, and prostate cancers . The protein’s ability to inhibit apoptosis makes it a potential target for cancer therapy, as reducing its activity could promote the death of cancer cells .
The recombinant form of BIRC7, specifically the 1-280 a.a. segment, is produced in E. coli and is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain . This recombinant protein is often fused with a His-tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification . The recombinant BIRC7 is used in various biochemical assays to study its function and interactions with other proteins .
Research on BIRC7 has significant implications for understanding the mechanisms of apoptosis and developing new therapeutic strategies for cancer . By studying the recombinant form of BIRC7, scientists can gain insights into how this protein interacts with caspases and other molecules involved in cell death pathways . This knowledge can be used to design drugs that specifically target BIRC7, potentially leading to more effective cancer treatments .
