TRANSCRIPTION-FACTOR-MODULATING AGENTS - PRECISION AND SELECTIVITY INDRUG DESIGN

Transcription factors play an important role in the long-term regulati on of cell growth, differentiation and responses to environmental cues . There is growing evidence that these proteins are closely associated with control at the genetic level of the development and maintenance of the diseased state, and might therefore provide selective targets f or novel pharmaceutical intervention. The vast array of information av ailable on the three-dimensional structure of transcription factors an d the intricate molecular machineries that fine-tune their activity of fer opportunities for embarking on the rational design of drugs direct ed against specific transcription factors, thus producing potent new a gents that modulate their function in a plethora of clinically importa nt situations.