IAP2 (Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein 2), also known as BIRC3. is a member of the apoptosis-regulating IAP family, which plays critical roles in cell survival, inflammation, and immune response. Structurally, IAP2 contains three baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) domains that mediate protein-protein interactions and a C-terminal RING domain with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. It inhibits apoptosis by binding to and suppressing caspases, particularly caspase-3 and -7. while also modulating NF-κB signaling pathways to promote cell survival and inflammatory responses.
IAP2 is overexpressed in various cancers, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory diseases, contributing to tumor progression, therapy resistance, and chronic inflammation. Its dysregulation is linked to poor prognosis in malignancies like lymphoma and leukemia. Antibodies targeting IAP2 are valuable tools for detecting its expression in research (e.g., Western blot, immunohistochemistry) and exploring its functional mechanisms. Therapeutically, IAP2 antibodies or related inhibitors (e.g., SMAC mimetics) are under investigation to counteract IAP2’s anti-apoptotic effects, aiming to restore cell death in cancer cells or modulate immune responses. However, challenges remain in balancing efficacy with potential off-target effects due to structural similarities among IAP family members.