Cell Death Inducing DFFA Like Effector C (CIDEC)

DNA fragmentation factor (DFF) induces the fragmentation of DNA associated with apoptosis. A novel family of cell death-inducing DFF45-like effectors (CIDEs), including CIDEC, can also promote apoptosis .

The deduced 238-amino acid protein has a predicted molecular mass of 26.8 kD and shares 44% and 38% identity with CIDEA and CIDEB, respectively. Northern blot analysis detected a 1.3-kb transcript mainly in small intestine, heart, colon, and stomach, with lower expression observed in brain, kidney, and liver. A 1.1-kb transcript was detected in placenta. The authors identified a 164-amino acid CIDEC isoform, which they called CIDE3-alpha, lacking the first N-terminal 74 amino acids. Immunofluorescence analysis localized CIDEC in a punctate manner to the cytosol.