Survivin: Proteins and Enzymes

Survivin is a member of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) gene family and contains a single BIR domain. Increased survivin expression at the G2/M checkpoint contributes to tissue homeostasis and differentiation during embryonic and fetal development. Increased expression in differentiated adult tissues, however, frequently results in unchecked cell survival, resulting in cancer. Survivin can protect cells from caspase-induced apoptosis activated in mitosis presumably by binding to Caspase-3, -7, and -9.