[5][6][7] It is also known as human Golgi anti-apoptotic protein (hGAAP) due to its function and sub-cellular localization.

Human GAAP [8] is a protein present in the Golgi that helps regulate apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death.

By regulating the fluxes of Ca+2, an increase of GAAP can help prevent apoptosis.

[9][10] GAAP is also involved in promoting cell migration[11] [12] and has been identified as a novel Golgi cation channel.

A viral GAAP (vGAAP) can also be found in some strains of vaccinia virus, the live vaccine used to eradicate smallpox.