Protein-protein interactions and cancer: small molecules going in for the kill

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2005 Jun;9(3):317-24. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2005.03.001.

Abstract

There has been much progress in the discovery of small, organic molecules that inhibit protein-protein interactions, particularly in the field of cancer. Tubulin polymerization represents a classic target whose function can be allosterically modulated by small molecules. Several protein-protein complexes that regulate apoptosis, or programmed cell death, appear to be particularly amenable to inhibition by small molecules, and recently described compounds have helped to characterize Bcl-2, MDM2 and XIAP as drug targets. Additionally, small-molecule antagonists have recently been described for several new targets, including Rac1-Tiam1, beta-catenin-T cell factor (Tcf), and Sur-2-ESX. Not only is the list of protein-protein inhibitors growing, but the inhibitors themselves are moving closer to treating disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Ligands
  • Neoplasm Proteins