Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases
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Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (Smac) is a mitochondrial protein that promotes cytochrome-c dependent activation by eliminating the inhibition of IAP - a protein that negatively regulates apoptosis or programmed cell death.[1] Smac is normally a mitochondrial protein but is found in the cytosol when a cell is primed for apoptosis by the final execution step of caspase activation. Smac is the second protein in the apoptosis link, along with cytochrome c, that promotes apoptosis by activating caspases.
