Ribonucleotide reductase: target therapy for human disease

Abstract

Over 460 patents targeting the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase have been issued since 1976. Ribonucleotide reductase plays a critical role in DNA synthesis; therefore, normal cell division will not take place unless it functions properly. The enzyme has been a target for therapeutic intervention for a number of human diseases in which cell proliferation is abnormal and is responsible for pathological disease. Diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and cancer have been targeted for intervention using compounds that inhibit ribonucleotide reductase. This review focuses on the enzyme, its biochemistry and its mechanism of action, and discusses the most relevant data that has led to the generation of compounds that inhibit the enzyme as intellectual property.

Keywords::

• cancer
• didox
• hydroxyurea
• ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor
• trimidox
• viral infection
• virostatic agent