Dynamics of the mitotic spindle--potential therapeutic targets

Prog Cell Cycle Res. 2003:5:349-60.

Abstract

Inhibition of mitosis is a useful strategy for treating diseases involving excessive cell proliferation. Antimitotic drugs currently in clinical use perturb microtubule dynamics and thereby disrupt the function of the mitotic spindle. Protein regulators of microtubule dynamics and microtubule motors are also essential for mitotic spindle function. In this chapter, we evaluate the potential of these proteins as candidate targets for antimitotic drugs. We review in depth a number of proteins of particular interest, highlighting their known functions in mitosis and the effects of their inhibition on cell cycle progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Division / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Microtubules / drug effects
  • Microtubules / physiology*
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / drug effects
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / physiology
  • Spindle Apparatus / drug effects
  • Spindle Apparatus / physiology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Molecular Motor Proteins