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Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53
Published on: August 4, 2019
Targeting the MDM2-p53 interaction for cancer therapy
Sanjeev Shangary1, Shaomeng Wang
1Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0934, USA.
Abstract:
p53 is a powerful tumor suppressor and is an attractive cancer therapeutic target because it can be functionally activated to eradicate tumors. The gene encoding p53 protein is mutated or deleted in half of human cancers, which inactivates its tumor suppressor activity. In the remaining cancers with wild-type p53 status, its function is effectively inhibited through direct interaction with the human murine double minute 2 (MDM2) oncoprotein. Blocking the MDM2-p53 interaction to reactivate the p53 function is a promising cancer therapeutic strategy. This review will highlight the advances in the design and development of small-molecule inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction as a cancer therapeutic approach.
Insights
Reactivating the tumor suppressor p53 protein, often inhibited by MDM2 in cancer, is a promising therapeutic strategy. This review covers advances in small-molecule inhibitors targeting the MDM2-p53 interaction for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- The p53 protein is a critical tumor suppressor, crucial for preventing cancer development.
- p53 function is compromised in approximately half of human cancers due to gene mutation or deletion.
- In cancers with intact p53, its activity is suppressed by the MDM2 oncoprotein.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress in developing small-molecule inhibitors that target the MDM2-p53 interaction.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of reactivating p53 for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on MDM2-p53 interaction inhibitors.
- Analysis of small-molecule inhibitor design and development strategies.
Main Results:
- Small-molecule inhibitors targeting the MDM2-p53 interaction have shown promise in preclinical studies.
- These inhibitors aim to restore the tumor-suppressive functions of wild-type p53.
Conclusions:
- Blocking the MDM2-p53 interaction is a viable strategy for cancer therapy.
- Further development of these inhibitors could lead to novel cancer treatments.
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