[Anti-tumor activities of steroids--lessons from microarray analysis].
The ability of glucocorticoids (GCs) to kill lymphoid cells via a process called apoptosis has led to their inclusion in essentially all chemotherapy protocols for lymphoid malignancies. Since GC receptor(GR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor, there should be genes mediating apoptosis among the ones whose expression is induced by GC. This review summarizes recent advances related to the molecular basis of GC-induced apoptosis, focusing on microarray analysis. Various groups of genes have been identified as candidate target genes of GR including the ones encoding Bcl-2 family proteins and calcineurin inhibitors. Although further investigation is required to determine the genes causally involved in GC-induced apoptosis, the studies described here will hopefully lead to more efficient treatments of lymphoid malignancies.
Miyashita
Toshiyuki
T
Department of Molecular Biology, Kitasato University School of Medicine.
Oshida
Tadahilo
T
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid