Bcl2/Adenovirus E1B 19kDa Interacting Protein 3 (BNIP3)

BNIP3 is a member of the BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kd-interacting protein (BNIP) family. It interacts with the E1B 19 kDa protein which is responsible for the protection of virally-induced cell death, as well as E1B 19 kDa-like sequences of BCL2, also an apoptotic protector. This gene contains a BH3 domain and a transmembrane domain, which have been associated with pro-apoptotic function.

The NIP3 protein has 194 amino acids and contains a putative membrane-spanning hydrophobic domain. Although the NIP3 cDNA sequence is highly homologous to a rat cDNA that encodes the rat brain calbindin-D protein, the authors determined that the NIP3 protein is encoded by a unique mRNA in human cells.