title: [Basic studies for the development of anticancer, antidementia, and taste modifier drugs].
abstract: We developed various types of differentiation- and apoptosis-inducing agents against tumor cells and also studied the function and structure of synucleins and taste modifiers. Differentiation- and apoptosis-inducing agents are classified into DNA-damaging agents, Na(+), K(+)-ATPase inhibitors, agents affecting the redox states of tumor cells, agents affecting signal transduction pathways, isoprenoid compounds, and ATP-noncompetitive tyrosine kinase inhibitors. These include camptothecin, etoposide, cisplatin, transplantin, bufalin, arsenic trioxide, costunolide, C(2)- ceramide, daidzein, geranylgeranylacetone, geranylgeraniol, vitamin K(2), sophoranone, and beta-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin. The mechanisms of action of these differentiation- and apoptosis-inducing agents are described. The structure and function of synucleins are also reviewed for the development of potential antidementia agents. In addition, the structures of three purified taste modifiers are described.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan. nakaya@niigatayakudai.jp
authors.forename: Kazuyasu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakaya
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051843:Synucleins; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D051843:Synucleins; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase