Modulation of molecular mechanisms involved in protein synthesis machineryas a new tool for the control of cell proliferation

In the past years, the attention of scientists has focused mainly on the st udy of the genetic information and alterations that regulate eukaryotic cel l proliferation and that lead to neoplastic transformation. All therapeutic strategies against cancer are, to date, directed at DNA either with cytoto xic drugs or gene therapy. Little or no interest has been aroused by protei n synthesis mechanisms. However, an increasing body of data is emerging abo ut the involvement of translational processes and factors in control of cel l proliferation, indicating that protein synthesis can be an additional tar get for anticancer strategies. In this paper we review the novel insights o n the biochemical and molecular events leading to protein biosynthesis and we describe their involvement in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. A po ssible mechanistic explanation is given by the interactions that occur betw een protein synthesis machinery and the proliferative signal transduction p athways and that are therefore suitable targets for indirect modulation of protein synthesis. We briefly describe the molecular tools used to block pr otein synthesis and the attempts made at increasing their efficacy. Finally , we propose a new multimodal strategy against cancer based on the simultan eous intervention on protein synthesis and signal transduction.