AIF是一种线粒体蛋白 ,具有氧化还原酶和诱导细胞凋亡两种活性。AIF从线粒体到细胞核的转位足以介导体外细胞凋亡的发生 ,而且是以非caspases依赖的方式进行的。AIF的诱导凋亡活性是小鼠胚胎形态发生过程中类胚体成腔所必需的 ,也参与了神经细胞的细胞凋亡。真菌、线虫等的细胞凋亡也有AIF同源分子的参与。因此 ,AIF介导的细胞凋亡代表了独立于caspase信号通路之外的另一条更原始、更保守、更普遍的凋亡途径 AIF is a mitochondrial protein that has both oxidoreductase and apoptosis-inducing activities. The translocation of AIF from mitochondria to the nucleus is sufficient to mediate apoptosis in vitro and occurs in a non-caspase-dependent manner. The apoptotic activity of AIF is necessary for the formation of embryoid bodies during mouse embryogenesis and is also involved in the apoptosis of nerve cells. AIF homologous molecules are also involved in the apoptosis of fungi, nematodes and the like. Thus, AIF-mediated apoptosis represents a more primitive, more conserved, and more common apoptotic pathway independent of the caspase signaling pathway