AVEN

AVEN Full Name

apoptosis, caspase activation inhibitor

AVEN Introduction

AVEN is a protein that has a primary role in cell survival and death. The protein was discovered from a yeast two-hybrid screening experiment where a mutant Bcl-xL protein was used as the "bait" in order to search for genes interacting downstream. Functionally, with its particular molecular structure and unique ability to interact, AVEN blocks the cell from programmed death in the convoluted cellular signaling network.

The main anti-apoptotic function of AVEN is through direct protein-protein interaction between the Bcl-xL and Apaf-1 proteins, both important in the progression of apoptosis. Apaf-1 is the core protein of apoptosome. After formation, apoptosome leads to the activation of downstream effector Caspase-9 and then the cascades of apoptotic reactions take place. In this way, AVEN's binding to Apaf-1 abrogates the apoptosome formation and terminates caspase activation at the source. In addition, it inhibits cell death by binding to the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL.

In addition to the classical anti-apoptotic role, the following studies suggested that AVEN may also have functions in other cellular processes, such as cell cycle regulation. Due to its strong anti-apoptotic role, AVEN is related to the pathogenesis and progression of various human diseases, most notably cancer. By suppressing the normal apoptosis of cancer cells, AVEN contributes strongly to tumor growth, survival, and therapy resistance. A number of studies have shown that AVEN is abnormally upregulated in various solid tumors, including lung adenocarcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, thyroid cancer, etc. Moreover, studies have shown that AVEN expression levels not only affect prognosis but are also associated with tumor immune microenvironment features and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. This provides a theoretical basis for targeting AVEN as a novel approach in cancer treatment.

Alternate Names for AVEN

AVEN; apoptosis, caspase activation inhibitor; PDCD12; cell death regulator Aven; programmed cell death 12

• 1. Chau BN, et al. Aven, a novel inhibitor of caspase activation, binds Bcl-xL and Apaf-1. Mol Cell. 2000 Jul;6(1):31-40.
  2. Figueroa B Jr, et al. Aven and Bcl-xL enhance protection against apoptosis for mammalian cells exposed to various culture conditions. Biotechnol Bioeng. 2004 Mar 20;85(6):589-600.