Bcl2/Adenovirus E1B 19kDa Interacting Protein Like Protein (BNIPL)

The BNIPS-alpha isoform shared 46% identity with BNIP2 with higher similarity over the BCH domain, which is predicted to comprise several alpha helices. PCR analysis detected differing levels of expression of the BNIPS-alpha and BNIPS-beta isoforms in a number of human cancer cell lines including breast cancer MCF-7, HeLa cells, 293T embryonic transformed kidney epithelial cells, and stomach and colon cancer cell lines. PCR analysis of mouse tissues detected expression of BNIPS-alpha in all tissues examined.

Immunofluorescence studies localized the BNIPS-alpha isoform to the cytosol and BNIPS-beta primarily to the nucleus. overexpression of BNIPL inhibited cell growth in human hepatocarcinoma cells.