B. Nelson Chau

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that in these models of apoptosis, specific cleavage of Bcl-2 requires activation of caspase-3.

TL;DR: Aven as mentioned in this paper is a new class of cell death regulator that targets both Bcl-x(L) and the caspase regulator, Apaf-1, in a yeast two-hybrid screen.

TL;DR: Data are consistent with the hypothesis that Bax-like proteins oligomerize to form lipid-containing pores in the outer mitochondrial membrane, thereby releasing intermembrane apoptogenic factors into the cytosol.

TL;DR: It is shown that SMN protects primary neurons and differentiated neuron-like stem cells, but not cultured cell lines from virus-induced apoptotic death, and increases survival of virus-infected mice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human apoptosis regulator protein (Aven) and polynucleotides which identify and encode Aven. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding Aven, and a method for producing Aven. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding Aven, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of Aven. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding Aven for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of Aven. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding Aven.