第二个线粒体衍生的半胱氨酸蛋白酶激活剂(Smac/DIABLO)是近年来新发现的一种线粒体蛋白,在正常细胞内Smac定位于线粒体.受到凋亡刺激时,Smac蛋白的线粒体定位信号肽被切除,能够从线粒体释放到胞质,与凋亡抑制蛋白(IAP)分子特异性结合,解除凋亡抑制因子对半胱氨酸蛋白酶(caspase)的阻碍作用,激活各级caspase引起级联反应,从而促进凋亡发生.综述了Smac/DIABLO蛋白的结构和功能、参与细胞凋亡的机制及最新的研究进展,最后提出了研究中存在的一些争议及可能的研究趋势.
Smac/Diablo is a recently identified mitochondria protein. After apoptotic stimuli, it binds the Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins, allowing caspase activation and cell death. The structure and function of Smac/Diablo, as well as its role in the mechanism of cell apoptosis are summarized. Some disputes and trends in the process of research are given.