Computer-assisted identification of small-molecule Bcl-2 modulators.

Apoptosis, the programmed cell death, is a highly regulated process, necessary for normal development and homeostasis of the functions of organisms. The Bcl-2 inhibitors BH3I-1 and BH3I-2 were used as lead compounds to find possible Bcl-2 or Bcl-X(L) inhibitors by using computer-assisted screening with our in-house database, containing more than four million commercially available molecules. Identified compounds were further investigated regarding their possible application as a drug.