Blockade of endothelial enzymes: new therapeutic targets

Proteolytic Enzymes as Therapeutic Targets

treat acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]) and against the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (to treat hypertension) are the only protease inhibitors approved by the FDA for therapeutic use (see Table 1). HIV-1 protease is an aspartic protease that is necessary for the processing of viral polypeptides late in the viral replicative cycle. Inhibition of this activity prevents formation of...

New Enzymes as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Trypanosomiases and Leishmaniasis

1Department of Molecular Biology of Trypanosoma cruzi, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas Alfredo Lanari (IDIM, UBA-CONICET), Avenida Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, 1427 Buenos Avies, Argentina 2 Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Lineu Prestes 1374, Cidade Universitária Butanta, São Paulo, CEP 05508-900, Brazil 3Deptartemento Biologia Celular e Inmunologia, Inst...

Human isoprenoid synthase enzymes as therapeutic targets

In the human body, the complex biochemical network known as the mevalonate pathway is responsible for the biosynthesis of all isoprenoids, which consists of a vast array of metabolites that are vital for proper cellular functions. Two key isoprenoids, farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) are responsible for the post-translational prenylation of small GTP-binding ...

New Therapeutic Targets

Cancer stem cells: therapeutic targets

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified as rare cellular populations in many cancers, including leukemia and solid tumors. This minor subpopulation of cancerous cells is immortal tumor-initiating cells which thought to be responsible for cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence and drug/radiation resistance. Low proliferative rate, high self-renewing capacity, differentiatio...