Targeting Ras and Rho GTPases as opportunities for cancer therapeutics

Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2005 Feb;15(1):62-8. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2004.11.001.

Abstract

The Ras and Rho GTPases contribute to the initiation and progression of cancer by subverting the normal regulation of specific intracellular signalling pathways. As a result, Ras and Rho play significant roles in the development of numerous aspects of the malignant phenotype by promoting cell cycle progression, resistance to apoptotic stimuli, neo-vascularisation and tumour cell motility, invasiveness and metastasis. With these GTPases contributing at so many levels, they are appealing targets for the development of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diphosphonates / pharmacology
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Protein Methyltransferases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / physiology*
  • ras Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Diphosphonates
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Protein Methyltransferases
  • protein-S-isoprenylcysteine O-methyltransferase
  • Endopeptidases
  • ras Proteins
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins