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.