title: BH3 domains as BCL-2 inhibitors: prototype cancer therapeutics.
abstract: It is likely that most, if not all, cancer cells possess a mechanism for opposing programmed cell death, or apoptosis. One mechanism often used by cancer cells to escape apoptosis is the overexpression of B cell leukaemia/lymphoma-2 protein (BCL-2) or related antiapoptotic proteins. Inhibiting BCL-2, therefore, is an anticancer strategy worthy of attention. BCL-2 homology 3 (BH3) domains are alpha-helical segments found in BCL-2 family member proteins. In pro-apoptotic members, the BH3 domain is necessary for pro-apoptotic function. It has been shown that short peptides derived from the BH3 region possess intrinsic pro-death activity. Furthermore, certain peptides of this group exert their pro-death function by specifically binding BCL-2 and opposing BCL-2's antideath function. Therefore, BH3 domains are prototype BCL-2 inhibitors. Mimetics of BH3 domains, whether derived from peptides or small molecules, have promise as cancer therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 1 Jimmy Fund Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. anthony_letai@dfci.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Letai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: C474007:Bax protein (53-86); D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2