The actin cytoskeleton as a therapeutic target: state of the art and future directions.
Dynamic processes such as cell migration and division depend on the actin cytoskeleton, a dense meshwork of protein polymers capable of undergoing rapid cycles of assembly and disassembly, under the control of a large number of actin-associated proteins. In cancer cells, structural and functional perturbations of the actin cytoskeleton correlate with higher proliferation rates and uncontrolled movement. Therefore, small molecules that act on the actin cytoskeleton of tumour cells and thus inhibit cell division and movement, may be of high therapeutic value. The dynamic properties of the actin cytoskeleton and the mechanism of action of actin-targeting drugs will be described.
Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire, d'Analyse Génique et de Modélisation, Centre de Recherche Public-Santé, 42, rue du Laboratoire, L-1011 Luxembourg.
Adeline
A
Giganti
Evelyne
E
Friederich
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000199:Actins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000199:Actins; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents