[Inhibitors of ribonucleases]

RNases are the most important enzymes of cellular metabolism. They influence gene expression, cell growth and differentiation, participate in cell protection against pathogens and induction of apoptosis. Since intracellular RNases exist mainly in complexes with their inhibitors, the latter are also involved in all above-mentioned processes. The review describes natural protein inhibitors of animal, plant, and bacterial RNases along with synthetic low molecular-weight inhibitors. Special attention is paid to the perspectives of application of RNase inhibitors to therapy of oncological and allergic diseases. Despite wide distribution of RNases and their numerous studies, the number of available natural and synthetic inhibitors of these enzymes remains limited. Creation of highly efficient low-molecular inhibitors of RNase activity of angiogenin and eosinophil-associated RNases, aimed at the therapy of oncological and allergic diseases, still remains quite actual.