title: Repair and translesion DNA polymerases as anticancer drug targets.
abstract: We have very recently highlighted possible connections between DNA polymerases, the main enzymes in the DNA metabolism, and human diseases (Ramadan, K., Maga, G. and Hübscher, U.: DNA polymerases and diseases, In: Genome Integrity: Facets and Perspectives ed. Lankenau, D.-H. Springer Verlag, Heidelberg Germany, Vol 1, pp. 69-102, 2007). Beside a role in DNA replication of the genome DNA polymerases have fundamental functions in other aspect of DNA metabolism, such as DNA repair, DNA recombination, translesion DNA synthesis and cell cycle checkpoint. In the last decade many novel DNA polymerases have been identified, but their exact cellular functions still await clarification. We know that many DNA polymerases have redundant functions. It is a fact that specific inhibition of certain DNA polymerases is a promising approach to develop anticancer drugs. In this review we will concentrate on DNA repair proteins and translesion DNA polymerases as possible targets for anti cancer drugs.
authors.affiliation: Ulrich Hübscher Institute for Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Zürich-Irchel, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maga
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hübscher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000187:drug effects*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors