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Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
Cell-cycle targeted therapies
1Royal Marsden Hospital Breast Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK. RobertCharles.Swanton@rmh.nthames.nhs.edu
Abstract:
Eukaryotic organisms depend on an intricate and evolutionary conserved cell cycle to control cell division. The cell cycle is regulated by a number of important protein families which are common targets for mutational inactivation or overexpression in human tumours. The cyclin D and E families and their cyclin-dependent kinase partners initiate the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma tumour suppressor protein and subsequent transition through the cell cycle. Cyclin/cdk activity and therefore control of cell division is restrained by two families of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors. A greater understanding of the cell cycle has led to the development of a number of compounds with the potential to restore control of cell division in human cancers. This review will introduce the protein families that regulate the cell cycle, their aberrations in malignant progression and pharmacological strategies targeting this important process.
Insights
The cell cycle controls eukaryotic cell division using protein families like cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases. Aberrations in these cell cycle regulators are common in human cancers, leading to new drug development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Oncology
Background:
- Eukaryotic cell division is governed by a conserved cell cycle.
- Key regulators include cyclin D/E and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).
- Dysregulation of cell cycle proteins is frequent in human tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cell cycle regulatory protein families.
- To discuss their role in cancer progression.
- To highlight pharmacological strategies targeting the cell cycle.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cell cycle regulation.
- Analysis of protein family functions.
- Examination of aberrations in cancer.
- Overview of therapeutic approaches.
Main Results:
- Cyclin D/E and CDKs drive cell cycle transition via retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation.
- Two inhibitor families restrain cyclin/CDK activity.
- Understanding these mechanisms informs cancer therapy.
Conclusions:
- Targeting cell cycle regulators offers potential for cancer treatment.
- Further research into cell cycle control is crucial for developing novel cancer drugs.
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