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Arginine Deiminase Enzyme Evolving as a Potential Antitumor Agent
Rakesh Ravindra Somani1, Pratip Kashinath Chaskar1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vivekanand Education Society's College of Pharmacy, Chembur (E), Mumbai - 400 074, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract:
Some melanomas and hepatocellular carcinomas have been shown to be auxotrophic for arginine. Arginine deiminase (ADI), an arginine degrading enzyme isolated from Mycoplasma, can inhibit the growth of these tumors. It is a catabolizing enzyme which catabolizes arginine to Citrulline. Tumor cells do not express an enzyme called arginosuccinate synthetase (ASS) and hence, these cells become auxotrophic for arginine. It is found that ADI is specific for arginine and did not degrade other amino acid. This review covers various aspects of ADIs like origin, properties and chemical modifications for better antitumor activity.
Insights
Arginine deiminase (ADI) enzyme degrades arginine, inhibiting tumors like melanoma and liver cancer that lack arginosuccinate synthetase (ASS). This review explores ADI
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Enzymology
Background:
- Melanomas and hepatocellular carcinomas exhibit arginine auxotrophy.
- Tumor cells often lack arginosuccinate synthetase (ASS), leading to dependence on external arginine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the origin, properties, and modifications of arginine deiminase (ADI).
- To highlight ADI's potential as an antitumor agent for arginine-auxotrophic cancers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of arginine deiminase (ADI) and its role in cancer.
- Analysis of ADI's enzymatic activity and specificity.
- Exploration of chemical modifications to enhance ADI's antitumor efficacy.
Main Results:
- Arginine deiminase (ADI) effectively catabolizes arginine to citrulline.
- ADI demonstrates specificity for arginine, without affecting other amino acids.
- ADI inhibits the growth of arginine-auxotrophic tumors.
Conclusions:
- Arginine deiminase (ADI) is a promising therapeutic enzyme for specific cancers.
- Understanding ADI's properties and modifications can improve its antitumor activity.
- ADI represents a targeted approach for treating melanomas and hepatocellular carcinomas.
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