Regulation of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family in Apoptosis

The inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family is at present the only one kind of blockers of the caspase family of cysteine proteases. It plays an essential role as a regulator in apoptosis. In according to recent researches, this article summarized the action of caspase family in apoptosis, the structure characteristics of IAP family, anti-apoptosis principle of IAP family and its negative control. To understand more about apoptosis may provide us with some important strategies for treating diseases related to apoptotic imbalance.