Retro hydrazino-azapeptoids as peptidomimetics of proteasome inhibitors.

Several groups of proteasome inhibitors are widely used to study the role of the ubiquin proteasome pathway in various cellular processes or as anticancer drugs. Peptidomimetics have been developed to circumvent problems inherent in peptides such as poor bioavailability and protease-mediated degradation, while retaining biological activity. In this study, we introduce new pseudopeptides, the retro hydrazino-azapeptoids, designed as proteasome inhibitor peptidomimetics.

Hydrazino-aza and N-azapeptoids with therapeutic potential as anticancer agents.

The ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation pathway plays an important role in regulating protein turnover in eucaryotic cells and, consequently, regulates both cell proliferation and cell death. The proteasome influences many cellular regulatory signals and is thus a potential target for pharmacological agents. The study of proteasome function has led to the identification of several natural and synthetic compounds that can act as tumor cell growth inhibitors.