BNIP3 (Bcl-2 19 kDa interacting protein) acts as transcriptional repressor of apoptosis-inducing factor expression preventing cell death in human malignant gliomas.

The Bcl-2 19 kDa interacting protein (BNIP3) is a pro-cell-death BH3-only member of the Bcl-2 family. We previously found that BNIP3 is localized to the nucleus in the majority of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors and fails to induce cell death. Herein, we have discovered that nuclear BNIP3 binds to the promoter of the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) gene and represses its expression. BNIP3 associates with PTB-associating splicing factor (PSF) and HDAC1 (histone deacetylase 1) contributing to transcriptional repression of the AIF gene. This BNIP3-mediated reduction in AIF expression leads to decreased temozolomide-induced apoptosis in glioma cells. Furthermore, nuclear BNIP3 expression in GBMs correlates with decreased AIF expression. Together, we have discovered a novel transcriptional repression function for BNIP3 causing reduced AIF expression and increased resistance to apoptosis. Thus, nuclear BNIP3 may confer a survival advantage to glioma cells and explain, in part, why BNIP3 is expressed at high levels in solid tumors, especially GBM.