Current Drug Targets - Volume 20, Issue 7, 2019

Background: Cellular senescence is generally understood as a permanent cell cycle arrest stemming from different causes. The mechanism of cellular senescence-induced cell cycle arrest is complex, involving interactions between telomere shortening, inflammations and cellular stresses. In recent years, a growing number of studies have revealed that cellular senescence could mediate the cancer progression of neighbori Read More

Background: Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) has been studied due to its role in the cell-cycle progression. The elucidation of the CDK2 structure paved the way to investigate the molecular basis for inhibition of this enzyme, with the coordinated efforts combining crystallography with functional studies. Objective: Our goal here is to review recent functional and structural studies directed to understanding the role of CD Read More

Background: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are predominant molecular chaperones which are actively involved in the protein folding; which is essential in protecting the structure and functioning of proteins during various stress conditions. Though HSPs have important physiological roles, they have been well known for their roles in various pathogenic conditions such as carcinogenesis; however, limited literature has consol Read More

Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors that may play an important role in the evolution of cancers, due to their effects on cancer cell metabolism. Statins affect several potential pathways, including cell proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and metastasis. The number of trials assessing the putative clinical benefits of statins in cancer is increasing. Currently, there are several tri Read More

Brain edema primarily occurs as a consequence of various cerebral injuries including ischemic stroke. Excessive accumulation of brain water content causes a gradual expansion of brain parenchyma, decreased blood flow and increased intracranial pressure and, ultimately, cerebral herniation and death. Current clinical treatment for ischemic edema is very limited, therefore, it is urgent to develop novel treatment str Read More

An emerging crisis of antibiotic resistance for microbial pathogens is alarming all the nations, posing a global threat to human health. The production of the metallo-β-lactamase enzyme is the most powerful strategy of bacteria to produce resistance. An efficient way to combat this global health threat is the development of broad/non-specific type of metallo-β-lactamase inhibitors, which can inhibit the different isofo Read More

Owning the high incidence and disability rate in the past decades, to be expected, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become one of the leading death causes worldwide. Currently, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), with the potential to form fresh myocardium and improve the functions of damaged hearts, have been studied widely in experimental CVD therapy. Moreover, iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs), as novel dise Read More

Pain is a complex multidimensional concept that facilitates the initiation of the signaling cascade in response to any noxious stimuli. Action potential generation in the peripheral nociceptor terminal and its transmission through various types of nociceptors corresponding to mechanical, chemical or thermal stimuli lead to the activation of receptors and further neuronal processing produces the sensation of pain. Numerous types o Read More

Prostate cancer is malignant cancer leading to high mortality in the male population. The existence of suppressive cells referred to as tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) is a major obstacle in prostate cancer immunotherapy. TAMs contribute to the immunosuppressive microenvironment that promotes tumor growth and metastasis. In fact, they are main regulators of the complicated interactions betwe Read More