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Proteasome inhibitors (INN stem –zomib)[1] are drugs that block the action of proteasomes. Proteasomes are large proteins complexes that are used to break down other proteins. These inhibitors are being studied for the treatment of cancer. Drugs such as bortezomib, carfilzomib, and ixazomib are already approved for use in treating multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. They also work as immunosuppressants and inhibit bone resorption.[2]
Proteasome inhibitors are most commonly categorized into two different groups; Synthetic Analogs and Natural products. Synthetic inhibitors are compounds that are all peptide based such as peptide... benzamides, alpha-ketoamides, aldehydes, alpha-ketoaldehydes, vinyl sulfones, and boronic acids. The Natural product inhibitors do not have all of the same core structures and pharmacophores, these natural products are just as selective and potent as the synthetic inhibitors for example lactacystin.[3] Lactacystin is a natural proteasome inhibitors, that was discovered because it's ability to inhibit the cell lines progression, by targeting the 20S proteasome.[4] Another example of a natural inhibitor would be PI31, it natural occurs in the human body and is used to maintain proteostasis.[5]
We understand the main concept of proteasome inhibition, but there still is a variety of understand questions on how the inhibition will eventually lead to cell death. The most common hypothesis is that when the proteasome is inhibited, it causes a buildup of proteins in the cell. This creates a toxic environment leading to cell death.[6] The most common proteasome inhibitors, stop the proteasome-ubiquitin pathway. It does this by directly targeting the 20S proteasome itself instead of inhibiting the ubiquitination of proteins, or the identification of these substrates[7]
Multiple mechanisms are likely to be involved, but proteasome inhibition may prevent degradation of pro-apoptotic factors such as the p53 protein, permitting activation of programmed cell death in neoplastic cells dependent upon suppression of pro-apoptotic pathways. For example, bortezomib causes a rapid and dramatic change in the levels of intracellular peptides.[8]
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