The ALG-2/AIP-complex, a modulator at the interface between cell proliferation and cell death? A hypothesis

During the development of an organism cell proliferation, differentiation a nd cell death are tightly balanced, and are controlled by a number of diffe rent regulators. Alterations in this balance are often observed in a variet y of human diseases. The role of Ca2+ as one of the key regulators of the c ell is discussed with respect to two recently discovered proteins, ALG-2 an d AIP, of which the former is a Ca2+-binding protein, and the latter is sub strate to various kinases. The two proteins interact with each other in a C a2+-dependent manner, and the role of the complex ALG-2/AIP as a possible m odulator at the interface between cell proliferation and cell death is disc ussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.