Retrotransposon-derived protein that forms virion-like capsids (By similarity). Acts as an effector of BAX during apoptosis: enriched at outer mitochondria membrane and associates with BAX upon induction of apoptosis, facilitating BAX-dependent mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and apoptosis (, ). Required for death receptor-dependent apoptosis . When associated with RASSF1, promotes BAX conformational change and translocation to mitochondrial membranes in response to TNF and TNFSF10 stimulation . Also promotes autophagy: promotes phagophore closure via association with ATG8 proteins . Acts as an inhibitor of the NFE2L2/NRF2 pathway via interaction with SQSTM1: interaction promotes dissociation of SQSTM1 inclusion bodies that sequester KEAP1, relieving inactivation of the BCR(KEAP1) complex .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytosol, Mitochondrion outer membrane, Extracellular vesicle membrane
Forms virion-like extracellular vesicles that are released from cells.
Widely expressed, with high levels in heart and brain.