Diablo homolog (Drosophila) Adenovirus (Ad-DIABLO)

Smac (for second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase, also designated DIABLO in mouse for direct IAP [inhibitor of apoptosis protein] binding protein with low PI) promotes caspase activation in the cytochrome c/Apaf-1/caspase-9 pathway by binding IAPs and removing their inhibitory activity. In healthy cells, Smac resides in the mitochondria, but when cells undergo apoptosis, Smac is released into the cytosol.