AIFM2

This gene encodes a flavoprotein oxidoreductase that binds single stranded DNA and is thought to contribute to apoptosis in the presence of bacterial and viral DNA. The expression of this gene is also found to be induced by tumor suppressor protein p53 in colon cancer cells. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2010]

Full Name

Apoptosis Inducing Factor, Mitochondria Associated 2

Function

A NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductase involved in cellular oxidative stress response. At the plasma membrane, catalyzes reduction of coenzyme Q/ubiquinone-10 to ubiquinol-10, a lipophilic radical-trapping antioxidant that prevents lipid oxidative damage and consequently ferroptosis. Cooperates with GPX4 to suppress phospholipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. This anti-ferroptotic function is independent of cellular glutathione levels (PubMed:31634899, PubMed:31634900). May play a role in mitochondrial stress signaling. Upon oxidative stress, associates with the lipid peroxidation end product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) forming a lipid adduct devoid of oxidoreductase activity, which then translocates from mitochondria into the nucleus triggering DNA damage and cell death (PubMed:26689472). Capable of DNA binding in a non-sequence specific way (PubMed:15958387).

Biological Process

Apoptotic mitochondrial changes Source: MGI
Negative regulation of ferroptosis Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of apoptotic process Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of apoptotic process Source: Reactome
Regulation of cellular response to oxidative stress Source: UniProtKB
Ubiquinone metabolic process Source: UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm; Cell membrane; Nucleus; Mitochondrion membrane; Lipid droplet

Topology

Helical: 7-27 aa

PTM

N-myristoylation at Gly-2 mediates the recruitment to lipid droplets and plasma membrane.