Apoptosis can be inhibited by a group of proteins called inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs). These proteins contain a BIR (baculovirus IAP repeat) domain near the amino-terminus. The BIR domain can bind some caspases. Many members of the IAP family of proteins block proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and -7. For example, XIAP, cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 appear to block cytochrome c-induced activation of caspase-9, thereby preventing initiation of the caspase cascade. Since cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 were first identified as components in the cytosolic death domain-induced complex associated with the TNF family of receptors, they may inhibit apoptosis by additional mechanisms.Synonyms: API2, Apoptosis inhibitor 2, Baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 3, C-IAP2, HIAP-1, IAP homolog C, Inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1, MIHC, RING finger protein 49, RNF49, TNFR2-TRAF-signaling complex protein 1, cIAP2