Targeting RNA helicases in cancer: The translation trap

Marise R Heerma van Voss; Paul J van Diest; Venu Raman

doi:10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.09.006

Targeting RNA helicases in cancer: The translation trap

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2017 Dec;1868(2):510-520. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.09.006. Epub 2017 Sep 28.

Authors

Marise R Heerma van Voss¹, Paul J van Diest², Venu Raman³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
² Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, MD, USA.
³ Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, MD, USA. Electronic address: vraman2@jhmi.edu.

Abstract

Cancer cells are reliant on the cellular translational machinery for both global elevation of protein synthesis and the translation of specific mRNAs that promote tumor cell survival. Targeting translational control in cancer is therefore increasingly recognized as a promising therapeutic strategy. In this regard, DEAD/H box RNA helicases are a very interesting group of proteins, with several family members regulating mRNA translation in cancer cells. In this review, we delineate the mechanisms by which DEAD/H box proteins modulate oncogenic translation and how inhibition of these RNA helicases can be exploited for anti-cancer therapeutics.

Keywords: DDX; DDX3; RNA helicase; Translation; eIF4A.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

5' Untranslated Regions
Carcinogenesis
DEAD-box RNA Helicases / antagonists & inhibitors
DEAD-box RNA Helicases / physiology
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A / antagonists & inhibitors
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A / physiology
Humans
Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Neoplasms / metabolism
Protein Biosynthesis / drug effects*
RNA Helicases / antagonists & inhibitors*
RNA Helicases / physiology

Substances

5' Untranslated Regions
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A
DDX3X protein, human
DEAD-box RNA Helicases
RNA Helicases

Grants and funding

R01 CA207208/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States