Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A Fluorescence-based Protocol for Preliminary Screening of Protein Synthesis Inhibitors from Natural Sources
10:24

A Fluorescence-based Protocol for Preliminary Screening of Protein Synthesis Inhibitors from Natural Sources

Published on: January 27, 2026

Nuclear proteins: promising targets for cancer drugs

Y-L Yao1, W-M Yang

  • 1Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.

Current Cancer Drug Targets
|December 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear proteins are key targets for novel cancer therapies. This review highlights specialized nuclear compartments, protein interactions, and chromatin modifications as promising avenues for developing new anti-cancer drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The eukaryotic cell nucleus is crucial for cancer development.
  • Specialized nuclear compartments, like the promyelocytic leukemia nuclear body (PML NB) and nucleolus, play significant roles.
  • The PML-RAR alpha fusion protein in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a validated therapeutic target.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the significance of nuclear proteins as anti-cancer drug targets.
  • To discuss therapeutic strategies targeting specialized sub-nuclear compartments.
  • To explore targeting nuclear protein-protein interactions and chromatin structure modifications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on nuclear compartments, protein-protein interactions, and chromatin modifications in cancer.
  • Discussion of key target proteins such as hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) and FKBP25.
  • Emphasis on the role of histone modifications in anti-cancer drug development.

Main Results:

  • Specialized nuclear compartments (PML NB, nucleolus) are validated targets for cancer therapy.
  • The nucleolus functions as a cellular stress sensor, offering new therapeutic insights.
  • Targeting specific nuclear protein-protein interactions (e.g., HIF-1alpha, FKBP25) is a growing area in drug development.

Conclusions:

  • Nuclear proteins represent a significant and promising class of targets for innovative cancer drug therapies.
  • Understanding sub-nuclear compartments, protein interactions, and chromatin dynamics is vital for advancing cancer treatment.
  • Future cancer therapies will likely leverage the nucleus's complex machinery for targeted drug delivery and action.

More Related Videos

Subcellular Fractionation of Primary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells to Monitor Nuclear/Cytoplasmic Protein Trafficking11:39

Subcellular Fractionation of Primary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells to Monitor Nuclear/Cytoplasmic Protein Trafficking

Published on: October 23, 2019

Initial Evaluation of Antibody-conjugates Modified with Viral-derived Peptides for Increasing Cellular Accumulation and Improving Tumor Targeting11:58

Initial Evaluation of Antibody-conjugates Modified with Viral-derived Peptides for Increasing Cellular Accumulation and Improving Tumor Targeting

Published on: March 8, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Protein Networks02:26

Protein Networks

An organism can have thousands of different proteins, and these proteins must cooperate to ensure the health of an organism. Proteins bind to other proteins and form complexes to carry out their functions. Many proteins interact with multiple other proteins creating a complex network of protein interactions.
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
Nuclear Protein Sorting01:34

Nuclear Protein Sorting

Nuclear protein sorting is the selective trafficking of histones, polymerases, gene regulatory proteins into the nucleus and exporting RNAs and ribosomes to the cytosol. It is a tightly controlled process that regulates gene expression within a cell.
Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry nuclear localization signals or NLS recognized by import receptors in the cytosol. Similarly, proteins with nuclear export signals are recognized by export receptors. Import and export receptors are...
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors01:31

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting01:45

Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting

Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...