DFFA

DNA fragmentation factor subunit alpha (DFFA), also known as Inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD), is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the DFFA is_associated_with::gene.

The is_associated_with::C-terminal domain of DFFA (DFF-C) consists of four is_associated_with::alpha-helices, which are folded in a helix-packing arrangement, with alpha-2 and alpha-3 packing against a long C-terminal is_associated_with::helix (alpha-4). The main function of this domain is the inhibition of is_associated_with::DFFB by binding to its C-terminal is_associated_with::catalytic domain through ionic interactions, thereby inhibiting the fragmentation of is_associated_with::DNA in the apoptotic process. In addition to blocking the is_associated_with::DNase activity of DFFB, the C-terminal region of DFFA is also important for the DFFB-specific folding chaperone activity, as demonstrated by the ability of DFFA to refold DFFB.

Interactions
DFFA has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::DFFB.