Small molecule apoptosis inhibitors to define the Bak activating switch

过度细胞凋亡导致的组织损失是器官移植失败和其他以过多细胞死亡为特征的疾病的一个重要因素。使用一种创新的基于细胞的筛选方法，我们已经确定了一类首个有效阻断细胞凋亡效应物Bak驱动的细胞死亡的分子系列。通过揭示我们独特抑制剂的分子靶点并描述它们的作用模式，我们希望揭示Bax和Bak生物学的一个新方面。

Tissue loss due to excessive apoptosis is a contributing factor to organ transplant failure and other diseases characterised by too much cell death. Using an innovative cell-based screening approach, we have identified a first in class series of molecules that potently block cell death driven by the apoptosis effector Bak. By unravelling the molecular target of our unique inhibitors and characterising their mode of action, we hope to uncover a new facet of Bax and Bak biology.