title: New approaches to targeting the actin cytoskeleton for chemotherapy.
abstract: The actin cytoskeleton is indispensable for normal cellular function. In particular, several actin-based structures coordinate cellular motility, a process hijacked by tumor cells in order to facilitate their propagation to distant sites. The actin cytoskeleton, therefore, represents a point for chemotherapeutic intervention. The challenge in disrupting the actin cytoskeleton is in preserving actin-driven contraction of cardiac and skeletal muscle. By targeting actin-binding proteins with altered expression in malignancy, it may be possible to achieve tumor-specific toxicity. A number of actin-binding proteins act cooperatively and synergistically to regulate actin structures required for motility. The actin cytoskeleton is characterized by a significant degree of plasticity. Targeting specific actin-binding proteins for chemotherapy will only be successful if no other compensatory mechanisms exist.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Teresa T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Bonello
authors.forename: Justine R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stehn
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Gunning
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051376:Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051356:Cortactin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051345:Destrin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018260:Gelsolin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry; D024462:Myosin Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014335:Tropomyosin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051300:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051376:Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex; D051356:Cortactin; D051345:Destrin; D018260:Gelsolin; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D014335:Tropomyosin; D051300:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family; D024462:Myosin Type II