Prenyl-binding domains: Potential targets for Ras inhibitors and anti-cancer drugs

Yoel Kloog*, Adrienne D. Cox

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ras and Rho GTPases are prominent participants in malignant transformation. They possess an essential prenyl group (farnesyl or geranylgeranyl) that endows them with membrane-tethering ability and functional specificity. Accumulating evidence suggests that prenyl groups are involved primarily in lipid-protein interactions, and recent experiments point to prenyl-binding hydrophobic pockets in proteins regulating Ras and Rho in normal cells and cancer cells. This review presents the evidence for such prenyl-binding domains as significant players in the control of Ras-like GTPases, and the emerging concept of prenyl-binding domains as potential targets for Ras inhibitors and anti-cancer drugs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)253-261
Number of pages9
JournalSeminars in Cancer Biology
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2004

Funding

FundersFunder number
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation2000317

    Keywords

    • Farnesyl
    • Galectin-1
    • Geranylgeranyl
    • Ras
    • Rho

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