| abstract |
Adenovirus E1B 19 kD protein protects against cell death induced by viral infection and certain external physical and chemical stimuli. Activity of the 19 kD protein is similar to the cell death suppressing activity of the protein coded by the Bcl-2 protooncogene. Bcl-2 protein can functionally substitute for the E1B 19 kD protein during adenovirus infection and in transformation of primary cells with adenovirus E1A. Five different cDNA's for proteins, designated Nip1, Nip2, Nip3, Bip1A and Bip13 that specifically interact with the 19 kD protein were found. Mutational analysis of the interaction indicates that at least four of the proteins (Nip1, Nip2, Nip3 and Bip1A) associate with 19 kD protein at specific sites thereof. Homologous motifs are found on Bcl2. An additional protein, (Bip5), interacts with Bcl-2 but not with the 19K protein. |