The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the BCL-2 protein family. BCL-2 family members form hetero- or homodimers and act as anti- or pro-apoptotic regulators that are involved in a wide variety of cellular activities. The protein encoded by this gene contains a Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3). It has been shown to interact with other members of the BCL-2 protein family and to act as an apoptotic activator. The expression of this gene can be induced by nerve growth factor (NGF), as well as by the forkhead transcription factor FKHR-L1, which suggests a role of this gene in neuronal and lymphocyte apoptosis. Transgenic studies of the mouse counterpart suggested that this gene functions as an essential initiator of apoptosis in thymocyte-negative selection. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Jun 2013]
Alternative Names
alternatively spliced bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death bcl-2 interacting protein Bim Bcl-2 like 11 Bcl-2 related apoptotic gene product BimL bcl-2-related ovarian death agonist bcl-2-related ovarian death protein Bcl2 interacting mediator of cell death bcl2-interacting mediator of cell death BCL2-like 11 (apoptosis facilitator) BCL2L11 BH3 domain containing protein Bim EL Bim-A Bim-alpha3 pro-apoptotic Bim-alpha4 contains new exon pro-apoptotic Bim-alpha5 contains new exon pro-apoptotic BIM-alpha6 BIM-beta6 BIM-beta7 OTTHUMP00000197013 OTTHUMP00000204247 proapoptosis factor Bim alpha 3 BLC2L11 proapoptosis factor BimS BCL2L11 proapoptotic BH-3 Bim splice variant