Ribonucleotide Reductase: A Critical Enzyme for Cancer Chemotherapy and Antiviral Agents

Title: Ribonucleotide Reductase: A Critical Enzyme for Cancer Chemotherapy and Antiviral Agents

Volume: 2 Issue: 1

Author(s): S. A. Nuno M. F. S. A. Cerqueira, Pedro A. Fernandes and Maria J. Ramos

Affiliation:

Keywords: Ribonucleotide reductase, Inhibitors, antisense, dimerization, radical-scavengers, iron chelators, substrate analogues, allosteric, theoretical results, mechanisms

Abstract: Ribonucleotide Reductase (RNR) plays a critical role in DNA synthesis, and is a well-recognized target for cancer chemotherapeutic and antiviral agents. RNR inhibition precludes DNA transcription and repair, from which results cell apoptosis. Many regulation checkpoints concerning RNR activity have been unravelled through the last two decades, with potential use to inhibit enzyme activity. This was accomplished by researchers from different but complementary areas, and from which several and different inhibitors have resulted. The volume of these studies has generated over 4000 articles since the discovery of RNR in 1960. This review summarises patents and papers during the period 1958 - 2005 dealing with the present understanding of ribonucleotide reductase biochemistry, mechanism of action and the most relevant data concerning RNR inhibition. Special attention is given to the inhibitors that have been patented and are currently in clinical use.

Cite this article as:

Nuno M. F. S. A. Cerqueira S. A. , Fernandes A. Pedro and Ramos J. Maria, Ribonucleotide Reductase: A Critical Enzyme for Cancer Chemotherapy and Antiviral Agents, Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery 2007; 2 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157489207779561408