Serine protease that shows proteolytic activity against a non-specific substrate beta-casein. Promotes or induces cell death either by direct binding to and inhibition of BIRC proteins (also called inhibitor of apoptosis proteins, IAPs), leading to an increase in caspase activity, or by a BIRC inhibition-independent, caspase-independent and serine protease activity-dependent mechanism. Cleaves THAP5 and promotes its degradation during apoptosis. Isoform 2 seems to be proteolytically inactive.
Subcellular locations: Mitochondrion intermembrane space, Mitochondrion membrane
Predominantly present in the intermembrane space. Released into the cytosol following apoptotic stimuli, such as UV treatment, and stimulation of mitochondria with caspase-8 truncated BID/tBID.
Subcellular locations: Endoplasmic reticulum
Ubiquitously expressed.