Cytoskeleton as a therapeutic target

Question 1

What is the mechanism of vinca alkaloids?

Answer 1

• Inhibits microtubule formation
• Binds to beta-tubulin and blocks alpha-tubule polymerization into microtubules
• Disrupts mitotic spindle formation (M-phase arrest)
• Inhibits proliferating cancer cells

Question 2

What is the mechanism of taxanes?

Answer 2

• Inhibits microtubule disassembly
• Taxanes stabilize GDP-bound tubulin and disrupts microtubule depolymerization
• Inhibits mitotic cell division; anaphase does not occur
• Inhibits proliferating cancer cells

Question 3

What are cytoskeleton agents such as paclitaxel used in?

Answer 3

Prevention of restenosis coronary stunts

Question 4

What are some examples of vinca alkaloids?

Answer 4

Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vindesine, Vinorelbine, Vinflunine

Question 5

What are some examples of taxanes?

Answer 5

Paclitaxel, Docetaxel, Abraxane, Cabazitaxel

Question 6

What is the mechanism of Colchicine?

Answer 6

• Binds to tubulin and disrupts microtubule polymerization
  low concentration stabilizes microtubule dynamics
  high concentration stabilizes microtubule dynamics

Question 7

What conditions is colchicine used for?

Answer 7

• Gout
• Sweet’s syndrome
• Behcet’s syndrome
• scleroderma and liver cirrhosis
• Familial Mediterrean fever

Question 8

What is the mechanism of Rotenone

Answer 8

Pesticide (prevents microtubule assembly)

Question 9

What is the mechanism of Mebendazole?

Answer 9

Antihelmintic (microtubule dysfunction)

Question 10

What is the mechanism of Griseofulin?

Answer 10

-Antifungal

Tinea capitis treatment (disrupts microtubule function and cell division)