Altering protein turnover in tumor cells: new opportunities for anti-cancer therapies

Drug Resist Updat. 2005 Dec;8(6):359-68. doi: 10.1016/j.drup.2005.12.001. Epub 2006 Jan 6.

Abstract

The promising effects of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade, PS-341) in the treatment of certain types of cancer have fired up the interest on this multicatalytic proteolytic machinery. A number of recent reviews thoroughly describe various aspects of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and its importance in the control of cell growth and tumorigenesis. Here, we will focus on recent data unveiling a link between the proteasome and some elements of the apoptotic machinery including Bcl-2 members, caspases, IAPs and IAP antagonists. Perturbing their turnover significantly contributes to the apoptotic response and the anti-neoplastic activity of proteasome inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Apoptosis*
  • Boronic Acids / pharmacology
  • Boronic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Bortezomib
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / metabolism
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / enzymology
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protease Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Proteasome Inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Pyrazines / pharmacology
  • Pyrazines / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / drug effects
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Boronic Acids
  • DIABLO protein, human
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Pyrazines
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Ubiquitin
  • Bortezomib
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Caspases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex