ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

BH3 interacting domain death agonist

Okay kiddo, let’s talk about BH3 interacting domain death agonist, also known as BID for short.

Just like how we have names to identify ourselves, protein molecules also have names to help scientists study them. And one of these molecules is called BID.

BID is important in a process called apoptosis which is a natural sequence of steps that our cells undergo when they are no longer needed, diseased or damaged.

Now, in the world of cells, every molecule has a specific job to do. And BID’s job is to signal the cell to start the process of apoptosis. It does this by interacting with other molecules in the cell, specifically the Bcl-2 protein family.

To explain this, let’s use an example of a lock and key. Imagine that every protein molecule has a specific shape like a key, and there’s a specific protein that is shaped like a lock. Only the right key that fits into the lock can activate it.

Similarly, BID has a specific structure that allows it to interact with the Bcl-2 protein family, which in turn triggers the sequence of apoptosis.

Now, there’s a more technical term for this process - BH3, which stands for Bcl-2 homology 3 domain. This is just a fancy way of saying that BID has a specific part or domain that interacts with the Bcl-2 protein family.

So, in summary, BID is a protein molecule that plays a crucial role in triggering the natural process of cell death called apoptosis, and it does so by interacting with other molecules in the cell using its BH3 domain.