The proteasome is a molecular target of environmental toxic organotins.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Because of the vital importance of the proteasome pathway, chemicals affecting proteasome activity could disrupt essential cellular processes. Although the toxicity of organotins to both invertebrates and vertebrates is well known, the essential cellular target of organotins has not been well identified. We hypothesize that the proteasome is a molecular target of environmental toxic organotins.

Objectives

Our goal was to test the above hypothesis by investigating whether organotins could inhibit the activity of purified and cellular proteasomes and, if so, the involved molecular mechanisms and downstream events.

Results

We found that some toxic organotins [e.g., triphenyltin (TPT)] can potently and preferentially inhibit the chymotrypsin-like activity of pu

SUBMITTER: Shi G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2661907 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature