Splice variants of mIAP1 have an enhanced ability to inhibit apoptosis

c-IAP1 is a member of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis protein family. Functions ascribed to c-IAP1 include inhibition of apoptosis and activation of NF-κB. Herein, we show that murine c-IAP1 (mIAP1) undergoes alterative splicing, generating two truncated proteins; one that lacks the CARD and RING domains (mIAP1-ΔCARDΔRING) and the other that lacks only the CARD domain (mIAP1-ΔCARD). mIAP1-ΔCARDΔRING mRNA is expressed at 2–3% of the levels of full-length mIAP1 (FL-mIAP1) in mouse tissues, yet it encodes a protein that accumulates at 50-fold higher levels than the FL-mIAP1 in cultured cells. This protein has an enhanced ability to inhibit Bax-induced apoptosis, but does not activate an NF-κB reporter. In contrast to mIAP1-ΔCARDΔRING, the mIAP1-ΔCARD mRNA displays distinct tissue variation, ranging from 5% to 15% of the FL-mIAP1 mRNA levels and its levels increase in the mammary gland during involution. This isoform also has enhanced anti-apoptotic activity, but diminished NF-κB activation. In summary, mIAP1 is alternatively spliced, generating protein isoforms with distinct functional characteristics.