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Pharmacological Activation of Protein Phosphatase 2 A (PP2A): A Novel Strategy to Fight Against Human Malignancies?

Maria Rosaria Carratù1, Anna Signorile, Domenico De Rasmo

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, "Aldo Moro" University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|October 21, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Serine-threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a key tumor suppressor. Reactivating PP2A with synthetic or natural compounds shows promise for developing novel cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulates critical cell signaling pathways.
  • PP2A inactivation contributes to cancer development through altered phosphorylation.
  • Targeting PP2A activity is a developing strategy for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in cancer.
  • To explore the role of PP2A reactivation in cancer therapy.
  • To identify synthetic and natural compounds that modulate PP2A activity.

Main Methods:

  • Bibliographic database search for peer-reviewed articles.
  • Selection of articles from indexed journals.
  • Appraisal of paper quality using bibliometric indicators.

Main Results:

  • 114 papers were reviewed, covering PP2A structure, function, and role in tumor suppression.
  • 40 papers detailed PP2A reactivation mechanisms by synthetic compounds.
  • 22 papers discussed natural compounds that restore PP2A activity.

Conclusions:

  • PP2A is a crucial regulator of cell growth and survival, acting as a tumor suppressor.
  • Compounds capable of reactivating PP2A offer new therapeutic avenues for human cancers.
  • This review is relevant for drug design and targeted delivery in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

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