AIF: Proteins and Enzymes

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is a 57-kDa flavoprotein, with orthology to bacterial oxidoreductases, that is localized to the mitochondria. Mitochondria play a key role in the regulation of apoptosis. AIF is released into the cytosol, translocated to the nucleus, and initiates chromatin condensation as part of the intrinsic Caspase-9-mediated apoptosis pathway. Some mitochondrial-regulated apoptotic pathways are Caspase-independent. AIF may play a role in this type of programmed cell death.