Developing drugs targeting transition metal homeostasis.

Developing drugs targeting transition metal homeostasis.
Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2016 Dec 29;37:26-32
Authors: Weekley CM, He C
Abstract
Metal dyshomeostasis is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Metal chelators and ionophores are well known modulators of transition metal homeostasis, and a number of these molecules are in clinical trials. Metal-binding compounds are not the only drugs capable of targeting transition metal homeostasis. This review presents recent highlights in the development of chelators and ionophores for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative disease. Moreover, we discuss the development of small molecules that alter copper and iron homeostasis by inhibiting metal transport proteins. Finally, we consider the emergence of metal regulatory factor 1 as a drug target in diseases where it mediates zinc-induced signalling cascades leading to pathogenesis.
PMID: 28040658 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Biology - December 28, 2016 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Weekley CM, He C Tags: Curr Opin Chem Biol Source Type: research