Bifunctional Apoptosis Regulator (BFAR)

Bifunctional apoptosis regulator (BAR) is an endoplasmic reticulum protein that interacts with both the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways. over-expression of BAR Delta RING prevents apoptosis and injury following ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) and attenuates doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. The RING domain, which binds ubiquitin conjugating enzymes, was deleted to prevent auto-ubiquitination of BAR and allow accumulation of the BAR protein, which binds apoptosis-regulating proteins. High levels of human BAR Delta RING transcripts and 42 KDa BAR Delta RING protein were expressed in the hearts of transgenic mice. over-expression of BAR Delta RING renders the heart more resistant to I/R injury and DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, and this protection correlates with reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.