AIF (apoptosis inducing factor) was recently identified that causes chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. AIF translocates to the nucleus when apoptosis is induced and induces mitochondria to release the apoptogenic proteins cytochrome c and caspase-9. AIF induces chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, which are the hallmarks of apoptosis. AIF is highly conserved between human and mouse and widely expressed.