title: Unraveling the mechanism of the farnesyltransferase enzyme.
abstract: Farnesyltransferase enzyme (FTase) is currently one of the most fascinating targets in cancer research. Studies in other areas, namely in the fight against parasites and viruses, have also led to very promising results. However, in spite of the thrilling achievements in the development of farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) over the past few years, the farnesylation mechanism remains, to some degree, a mystery. This review tries to shed some light on this puzzling enzyme by analyzing seven key mechanistic dilemmas, based on recent studies that have dramatically changed the way this enzyme is currently perceived.
authors.affiliation: REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sérgio Filipe
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Pedro Alexandrino
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Maria João
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc