Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Hsp90 is an essential molecular chaperone that is also a novel anti-cancer drug target. There is growing interest in developing new drugs that modulate Hsp90 activity.Methodology/principal findings
Using a virtual screening approach, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, the active metabolite of the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen, was identified as a putative Hsp90 ligand. Surprisingly, while all drugs targeting Hsp90 inhibit the chaperone ATPase activity, it was found experimentally that 4-hydroxytamoxifen and tamoxifen enhance rather than inhibit Hsp90 ATPase.Conclusions/significance
Hence, tamoxifen and its metabolite are the first members of a new pharmacological class of Hsp90 activators.
SUBMITTER: Zhao R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2848575 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Zhao Rongmin R Leung Elisa E Grüner Stefan S Schapira Matthieu M Houry Walid A WA
PloS one 20100401 4
<h4>Background</h4>Hsp90 is an essential molecular chaperone that is also a novel anti-cancer drug target. There is growing interest in developing new drugs that modulate Hsp90 activity.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>Using a virtual screening approach, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, the active metabolite of the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen, was identified as a putative Hsp90 ligand. Surprisingly, while all drugs targeting Hsp90 inhibit the chaperone ATPase activity, it was found experimentally that ...[more]