Bioprobes for investigating mammalian cell cycle control

Bioprobes are low molecular weight compounds which are useful for investigating mammalian cell functions. The use of bioprobes has substantially assisted the investigation of complex biochemical processes of the mammalian cell cycle. In this review, cell cycle inhibitors mainly isolated from the microorganism are described and their possibility as an antitumor agents is considered. Most cancer cells have some abnormality in the control mechanism of cell cycle progression. Cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk), which are activated by the binding with the cyclin and simultaneously by the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of itself, play important roles as engines in the cell cycle. Tubulins are considered to be one of the most important proteins of the cell division machinery. Therefore, Cdk inhibitors and tubulin binders are possible anticancer drugs. Since the function of proteins controlling the cell cycle is also regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, inhibitors of protein kinases and phosphatases are considered as possible an antitumor agents. We expect that some bioprobes will be developed for clinical use.