Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is essential for the proper development and homeostasis of many organisms, including humans. Activation of caspases, a family of enzymes, triggers apoptosis. IAPs (Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins) are proteins that bind to these caspases and inhibit their activity, thus preventing apoptosis. IAPs are also frequently over-expressed in human cancer cells, indicating that IAPs could be a possible target for anti-cancer drugs. Our scientists have discovered proteins and peptides containing specific motifs that stimulate degradation of IAPs, thus permitting apoptosis to occur.
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