apoptotic peptidase activating factor 1

Symbol

APAF1 (may also be known as: None)

Organism

Human

Description

This gene encodes a cytoplasmic protein that initiates apoptosis. This protein contains several copies of the WD-40 domain, a caspase recruitment domain (CARD), and an ATPase domain (NB-ARC). Upon binding cytochrome c and dATP, this protein forms an oligomeric apoptosome. The apoptosome binds and cleaves caspase 9 preproprotein, releasing its mature, activated form. Activated caspase 9 stimulates the subsequent caspase cascade that commits the cell to apoptosis. Alternative splicing results in several transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Orthologs

SymbolSpecies
Ark Drosophila melanogaster
apaf1 Danio rerio
Apaf1 Mus musculus
Apaf1 Rattus norvegicus

Links to external resources

Changes associated with this gene

Identifier Name Type Tissues Organism Gene Data Actions
DAA2991 Gene expression of APAF1 increases with age Molecular skin Human APAF1 —

GO Terms

GO IDGO TermGO Category
GO:0006915 apoptotic process biological_process
GO:0006919 activation of caspase activity biological_process
GO:0006952 defense response biological_process
GO:0007399 nervous system development biological_process
GO:0008629 induction of apoptosis by intracellular signals biological_process
GO:0008635 activation of caspase activity by cytochrome c biological_process
GO:0042981 regulation of apoptotic process biological_process
GO:0097193 intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway biological_process
GO:0005622 intracellular cellular_component
GO:0005634 nucleus cellular_component
GO:0005730 nucleolus cellular_component
GO:0005737 cytoplasm cellular_component
GO:0005794 Golgi apparatus cellular_component
GO:0005829 cytosol cellular_component
GO:0043293 apoptosome cellular_component
GO:0000166 nucleotide binding molecular_function
GO:0005515 protein binding molecular_function
GO:0005524 ATP binding molecular_function
GO:0008656 cysteine-type endopeptidase activator activity involved in apoptotic process molecular_function
GO:0043531 ADP binding molecular_function