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Natural and Synthetic Anticancer Epidrugs Targeting the Epigenetic Integrator UHRF1

Waseem Ashraf1, Tanveer Ahmad2, Nicolas Reynoird2

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The epigenetic regulator UHRF1 drives cancer by silencing tumor-suppressor genes. Natural compounds can inhibit UHRF1, reactivating these genes to fight cancer growth and promote apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading global cause of death, with increasing incidence and mortality.
  • Abnormal genetic and epigenetic regulations are critical in cancer initiation and progression.
  • The UHRF1 protein is an overexpressed epigenetic regulator with oncogenic properties in most cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms by which UHRF1 promotes cancer.
  • To explore the potential of natural and synthetic compounds in targeting UHRF1.
  • To discuss strategies for inhibiting UHRF1's oncogenic activities and expression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on UHRF1 function and regulation.
  • Analysis of studies investigating the effects of natural compounds on UHRF1.
  • Examination of UHRF1's role in DNA methylation and histone modification.

Main Results:

  • UHRF1 coordinates epigenetic modifications, leading to tumor-suppressor gene silencing.
  • Overexpression of UHRF1 facilitates drug resistance, apoptosis evasion, and uncontrolled proliferation.
  • Downregulation of UHRF1 by natural compounds can reactivate tumor-suppressor genes, inhibit growth, and induce apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • UHRF1 is a key oncogenic driver in cancer through epigenetic dysregulation.
  • Targeting UHRF1 with natural or synthetic compounds presents a promising therapeutic strategy.
  • Further research into UHRF1 inhibition could lead to novel anticancer treatments.
Keywords:
DNA methylationcancerepidrugsepigeneticsphytochemicaltumor-suppressor genes UHRF1

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