Livin Proteins and Enzymes

Livin alpha (KIAP) and Livin beta (ML-IAP) are two splice forms generated from the livin gene. Livin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family that contains a baculovirus single IAP repeat (BIR) and a C-terminal RING finger domain. Livin inhibits the activation of caspases 9 and/or 3 when activated in specific cell lines. Livin alpha is a splice variant 18 amino acids longer in the BIR-RING linking region than the livin beta splice variant. The isoforms differ in their apoptotic properties.