Aven binds to both Bcl-x(L) and the caspase regulator Apaf-1,which can supported that Bcl-x(L) inhibits cell death at a late (postmitochondrial) step in the death pathway.Identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen,Aven inhibited the proteolytic activation of caspases in a cell-free extract and suppressed apoptosis induced by Apaf-1 plus caspase-9. Expressing highly in the testis, ovary, and thymus .