Final answer:
Moonlighting anti-IAP proteins are a group of proteins that have dual functions. They not only inhibit the activity of IAP proteins but also perform other cellular functions unrelated to apoptosis. Smac/DIABLO is an example of a moonlighting anti-IAP protein.
Step-by-step explanation:
Moonlighting anti-IAP proteins refer to a group of proteins that have dual functions. Specifically, these proteins not only inhibit the activity of Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) proteins, but they also perform other cellular functions unrelated to apoptosis. Moonlighting anti-IAP proteins can regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival, as well as play a role in various diseases.
For example, Smac/DIABLO is a moonlighting anti-IAP protein that inhibits IAPs and promotes apoptosis in cancer cells. In addition to its apoptotic function, Smac/DIABLO is involved in mitochondrial homeostasis, cellular metabolism, and DNA repair.
The identification and study of moonlighting anti-IAP proteins provide insights into the complex regulation of cell death and other cellular processes, highlighting the multifunctionality of proteins in biological systems.