NAIF1 Human

Nuclear Apoptosis Inducing Factor 1 (NAIF1) is a protein encoded by the NAIF1 gene in humans. This protein plays a crucial role in the regulation of apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and development.

The NAIF1 gene is located on chromosome 9q34.11 . It encodes a protein with a Myb-like domain at its N-terminal region . The protein is involved in the negative regulation of cell growth and the regulation of mitochondrial membrane permeability, which are critical processes in the apoptotic pathway .

NAIF1 induces apoptosis by altering mitochondrial membrane permeability, leading to the release of pro-apoptotic factors into the cytosol . This process is essential for the elimination of damaged or unwanted cells, thereby preventing the development of diseases such as cancer.

In healthy cells, NAIF1 is located in the cytosol, nucleoplasm, and plasma membrane . Upon receiving apoptotic stimuli, NAIF1 translocates to the nucleus, where it induces chromatin condensation and large-scale DNA fragmentation . This caspase-independent pathway is vital for the execution of apoptosis in cells that do not respond to traditional caspase-dependent signals.

Overexpression of NAIF1 has been shown to induce apoptosis in various human cancer cell lines, including HeLa and MKN45 . This makes NAIF1 a potential target for cancer therapy, as its modulation could lead to the selective elimination of cancer cells.

Recombinant NAIF1 proteins are used in research to study the mechanisms of apoptosis and to develop therapeutic strategies for diseases characterized by dysregulated apoptosis, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.