Livin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) family that regulates programmed cell death. The Livin protein contains a single baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) essential for function, along with a COOH-terminal RING-type zinc finger domain. In general, IAP proteins block apoptosis by binding and inhibiting caspases through this BIR domain. Two Livin splicing variants, alpha and beta, have been identified, and each has different anti-apoptotic properties. With Livin expression low in adult tissues, it is somewhat higher in developmental tissues.
