From Proteopedia
proteopedia linkproteopedia linkBcl-Xl is a member of the
Bcl-2 family . This family consists of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic members. Bcl-Xl(in the image)
,an anti apoptotic protein, binds pro apoptotic proteins like BAK and BAD thus inhibiting program cell death. Many cancer cells overexpress at least one of the anti-apoptotic members of this family , thus escaping apoptosis . Therefore these proteins are important targets for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
the PDB file 2yxjshows the structure of Bcl-Xl and ABT 737. ABT 737 is a sub nano Molar inhibitor of Bcl-Xl. It binds Bcl-xl in the same position as BAK does as can be seen in 1bxl.
Interestingly the interface of Bcl-Xl is almost symmetric. There are Arg 100 and Arg 139.
Glu 96 and Glu 129.
Two which include Phe 191 Val 141 and
Ala 93 for one, and the other patch includes Phe 146 Val 126 and Leu 108.