Therapeutic Targeting of the General RNA Polymerase II Transcription Machinery. 2020

Ryan D Martin, and Terence E Hébert, and Jason C Tanny
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada.

Inhibitors targeting the general RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription machinery are candidate therapeutics in cancer and other complex diseases. Here, we review the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of these compounds, framing them within the steps of RNAPII transcription. We discuss the effects of transcription inhibitors in vitro and in cellular models (with an emphasis on cancer), as well as their efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies. We also discuss the rationale for inhibiting broadly acting transcriptional regulators or RNAPII itself in complex diseases.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009363 Neoplasm Proteins Proteins whose abnormal expression (gain or loss) are associated with the development, growth, or progression of NEOPLASMS. Some neoplasm proteins are tumor antigens (ANTIGENS, NEOPLASM), i.e. they induce an immune reaction to their tumor. Many neoplasm proteins have been characterized and are used as tumor markers (BIOMARKERS, TUMOR) when they are detectable in cells and body fluids as monitors for the presence or growth of tumors. Abnormal expression of ONCOGENE PROTEINS is involved in neoplastic transformation, whereas the loss of expression of TUMOR SUPPRESSOR PROTEINS is involved with the loss of growth control and progression of the neoplasm. Proteins, Neoplasm
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D002384 Catalysis The facilitation of a chemical reaction by material (catalyst) that is not consumed by the reaction. Catalyses
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D004354 Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor Methods of investigating the effectiveness of anticancer cytotoxic drugs and biologic inhibitors. These include in vitro cell-kill models and cytostatic dye exclusion tests as well as in vivo measurement of tumor growth parameters in laboratory animals. Anticancer Drug Sensitivity Tests,Antitumor Drug Screens,Cancer Drug Tests,Drug Screening Tests, Tumor-Specific,Dye Exclusion Assays, Antitumor,Anti-Cancer Drug Screens,Antitumor Drug Screening Assays,Tumor-Specific Drug Screening Tests,Anti Cancer Drug Screens,Anti-Cancer Drug Screen,Antitumor Drug Screen,Cancer Drug Test,Drug Screen, Anti-Cancer,Drug Screen, Antitumor,Drug Screening Tests, Tumor Specific,Drug Screens, Anti-Cancer,Drug Screens, Antitumor,Drug Test, Cancer,Drug Tests, Cancer,Screen, Anti-Cancer Drug,Screen, Antitumor Drug,Screens, Anti-Cancer Drug,Screens, Antitumor Drug,Test, Cancer Drug,Tests, Cancer Drug,Tumor Specific Drug Screening Tests
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000970 Antineoplastic Agents Substances that inhibit or prevent the proliferation of NEOPLASMS. Anticancer Agent,Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Agent,Antineoplastic Drug,Antitumor Agent,Antitumor Drug,Cancer Chemotherapy Agent,Cancer Chemotherapy Drug,Anticancer Agents,Antineoplastic Drugs,Antineoplastics,Antitumor Agents,Antitumor Drugs,Cancer Chemotherapy Agents,Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs,Chemotherapeutic Anticancer Agents,Chemotherapeutic Anticancer Drug,Agent, Anticancer,Agent, Antineoplastic,Agent, Antitumor,Agent, Cancer Chemotherapy,Agents, Anticancer,Agents, Antineoplastic,Agents, Antitumor,Agents, Cancer Chemotherapy,Agents, Chemotherapeutic Anticancer,Chemotherapy Agent, Cancer,Chemotherapy Agents, Cancer,Chemotherapy Drug, Cancer,Chemotherapy Drugs, Cancer,Drug, Antineoplastic,Drug, Antitumor,Drug, Cancer Chemotherapy,Drug, Chemotherapeutic Anticancer,Drugs, Antineoplastic,Drugs, Antitumor,Drugs, Cancer Chemotherapy
D012319 RNA Polymerase II A DNA-dependent RNA polymerase present in bacterial, plant, and animal cells. It functions in the nucleoplasmic structure and transcribes DNA into RNA. It has different requirements for cations and salt than RNA polymerase I and is strongly inhibited by alpha-amanitin. EC 2.7.7.6. DNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase II,RNA Pol II,RNA Polymerase B,DNA Dependent RNA Polymerase II
D014158 Transcription, Genetic The biosynthesis of RNA carried out on a template of DNA. The biosynthesis of DNA from an RNA template is called REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION. Genetic Transcription
D015972 Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control of gene action in neoplastic tissue. Neoplastic Gene Expression Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression, Neoplastic,Regulation, Gene Expression, Neoplastic

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