This gene is a member of the BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kd-interacting protein (BNIP) family. It interacts with the E1B 19 kDa protein, which protects cells from virally-induced cell death. The encoded protein also interacts with E1B 19 kDa-like sequences of BCL2, another apoptotic protector. Alternate
The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 and adenovirus E1B 19 kDa interacting family, whose members play roles in many cellular processes including apotosis, cell transformation, and synaptic function. Several functions for this protein have been demonstrated including
suppression of Ras homolog family member A activity, which results in reduced stress fiber formation and suppression of oncogenic cellular transformation. A high molecular weight isoform of this protein has also been shown to colocalize with Adaptor protein complex 2, beta-Adaptin and endodermal markers, suggesting an involvement in post-endocytic trafficking. In prostate cancer cells, this gene acts as a tumor suppressor and its expression is regulated by prostate cancer antigen 3, a non-protein coding gene on the opposite DNA strand in an intron of this gene. Prostate cancer antigen 3 regulates levels of this gene through formation of a double-stranded RNA that undergoes adenosine deaminase actin on RNA-dependent adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2015]