BIRC8 (baculoviral IAP repeat containing 8)

BIRC8, also known as ILP-2, is a homologous protein of BIRC4, however, its function has seldom been addressed. Despite the similarity with other Inhibitory Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs), there is evidence that BIRC8 acts in a peculiar manner, by impeding apoptosis induced by BAX without directly inhibiting the activity of caspases. BIRC8 expression has been detected in testis and lymphoblastic normal cells and, furthermore, it has been reported in different cancers, including breast carcinoma, hematological neoplasms, hepatocellular carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and neuroblastoma. However, the specific implications of such protein for treatment and prognosis must be further evaluated. In this review, current data on RNA, DNA, protein and the association of BIRC8 in cancer are presented.