SMBA1 is a potent, and selective Bax agonist (Ki=43.3 nM) that induces conformational changes in Bax by blocking S184 phosphorylation.
SMBA1 shows no affinity for other Bcl2 family members, including Bcl2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1, Bcl-w, Bfl-1/A1, Bid or Bak.
SMBA1 facilitates Bax insertion into mitochondrial membranes and forming Bax oligomers, leads to cytochrome c release and apoptosis in human lung cancer cells.
SMBA1 potently suppresses lung tumour growth via apoptosis by selectively activating Bax in vivo without significant normal tissue toxicity.
