Ortho-Quinone tanshinones directly inhibit telomerase through an oxidative mechanism mediated by hydrogen peroxide.

ABSTRACT: The tanshinone natural products possess a variety of pharmacological properties including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-neoplastic activity. The molecular basis of these effects, however, remains largely unknown. In the present study, we explored the direct effect of tanshinones on the enzyme telomerase. Telomerase is up-regulated in the majority of cancer cells and is essential for their survival, making it a potential anti-cancer drug target. We found that the ortho-quinone tanshinone II-A inhibits telomerase in a time- and DTT-dependent fashion, and the hydrogen peroxide scavenger catalase protected telomerase from inactivation. These findings demonstrate that ortho-quinone containing tanshinones can inhibit telomerase owing to their ability to generate react

SUBMITTER: Soares J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3559103 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature