Here we report on the identification of peptides targeting the X-inhibitor of apoptosis protein
(XIAP). XIAP functions as a caspase inhibitor and is a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis
(IAP) family of proteins. IAPs are often overexpressed in cancers and leukemias and are
associated with an unfavorable clinical prognosis. We have selected peptides from a phage
library by using recombinant full-length human XIAP or a fragment containing only the
baculovirus IAP repeat 2 (BIR2) domain. A consensus motif, C (D/E/P)(W/F/Y)-acid/basic-XC …