This gene is a member of the BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kd-interacting protein (BNIP) family. It interacts with the E1B 19 kDa protein which is responsible for the protection of virally-induced cell death, as well as E1B 19 kDa-like sequences of BCL2, also an apoptotic protector. The protein encoded by this gene is a functional homolog of BNIP3, a proapoptotic protein. This protein may function simultaneously with BNIP3 and may play a role in tumor suppression.