Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Potent Modulators of Cellular Contacts

Authors: Vinken, Mathieu; Peggy, Papeleu; Vera, Rogiers; Tamara, Vanhaecke

Source: Current Drug Targets, Volume 7, Number 6, June 2006 , pp. 773-787(15)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Histone deacetylase inhibitors are nowadays considered as promising anti-cancer drugs, as they interfere with several key steps of tumor development and progression, both in vitro and in vivo. Less attention has been paid to their impact on cell junctions. Nevertheless, cell junctions are gatekeepers in the management of tissue homeostasis, and their aberrant expression and functioning is observed in all aspects of cancer biology. The present review provides a state of the art of the current knowledge concerning the effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors on cell junctions. Besides an updated theoretical basis, we also exemplify its actual relevance in cancer therapy.

Keywords: histone deacetylase inhibitor; adherens junction; tight junction; gap junction; (hemi)desmosome; focal adhesion

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945006777435281

Affiliations: 1: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Department of Toxicology, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium.

Publication date: 2006-06-01

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Current Drug Targets aims to cover the latest and most outstanding developments on the medicinal chemistry and pharmacology of molecular drug targets e.g. disease specific proteins, receptors, enzymes, genes. Each issue of the journal will be devoted to a single timely topic, with series of in-depth reviews, written by leaders in the field, covering a range of current topics on drug targets. These issues will be organized and led by a guest editor who is a recognized expert in the overall topic. As the discovery, identification, characterisation and validation of novel human drug targets for drug discovery continues to grow; this journal will be essential reading for all pharmaceutical scientists involved in drug discovery and development.