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[The role of nuclear receptors in cell death]

Magdalena Kopij1, Andrzej Rapak

  • 1Laboratorium Immunobiologii Molekularnej Nowotworów, Instytut Immunologii i Terapii Doświadczalnej PAN im. Ludwika Hirszfelda we Wrocławiu.

Postepy Higieny I Medycyny Doswiadczalnej (Online)
|October 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear receptors are proteins that regulate cell processes. Some nuclear receptors influence apoptosis and are targeted in anticancer therapies, particularly with retinoids.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Context:

  • Nuclear receptors are a class of structurally similar proteins.
  • These proteins function as ligand-dependent transcription factors.
  • They regulate diverse intracellular processes.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the role of nuclear receptors in cellular processes.
  • To explore their involvement in apoptosis.
  • To understand their therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.

Summary:

  • Nuclear receptors act as monomers, homodimers, or heterodimers with retinoid X receptor (RXR).
  • They bind to specific response elements (REs) in promoter regions.
  • Specific receptors like Nur77, GR, RXR, RAR, VDR, and PPAR can modulate apoptosis by influencing pro- or anti-apoptotic proteins.
  • They can also affect other transcription factors.

Impact:

  • Nuclear receptor ligands, especially retinoids, are utilized in anticancer therapy.
  • These ligands can be used as standalone treatments or in combination with other anticancer drugs.
  • This highlights the therapeutic significance of targeting nuclear receptors for cancer treatment.

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