ARTS (Sept4_i2) is a pro-apoptotic mitochondrial tumor suppressor protein which binds to and causes degradation of XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis). We recently showed that ARTS brings XIAP into close proximity to Bcl-2, creating a complex which enables degradation of both these major anti-apoptotic proteins and promotes apoptosis. The possible therapeutic implications are discussed here.
Keywords: Apoptosis; Bcl-2, XIAP; Caspases; E3-ligase; Mitochondria; Protein degradation; Ubiquitin.