Bak binding protein, DNA encoding the protein, and methods of use thereof

A method of increasing or decreasing apoptosis-induced cell death comprising increasing or decreasing the level of Bak Binding Protein (BBP) in a eukaryotic cell, the method comprising

• transfecting the cell ex vivo with a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:
• a) a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:7;
• b) a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence encoding a fragment of SEQ ID NO:7, wherein the fragment consists of at least six linear amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:7, and wherein the fragment binds to a Bak protein;
• and
• c) a polynucleotide consisting of the full complement of the nucleotide sequence of (a) or (b),
• wherein expression of the polynucleotide in the cell increases or decreases the level of BBP in the cell and thereby increases or decreases apoptosis-induced cell death.