Peña-Guerrero, J.; Fernández-Rubio, C.; García-Sosa, A.T.; Nguewa, P.A. BRCT Domains: Structure, Functions, and Implications in Disease—New Therapeutic Targets for Innovative Drug Discovery against Infections. Pharmaceutics 202315, 1839. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15071839

 

 

The search for new therapeutic targets and their implications in drug development remains an emerging scientific topic. BRCT-bearing proteins are found in Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya, and viruses. They are traditionally involved in DNA repair, recombination, and cell cycle control. To carry out these functions, BRCT domains are able to interact with DNA and proteins. Moreover, such domains are also implicated in several pathogenic processes and malignancies including breast, ovarian, and lung cancer. Although these domains exhibit moderately conserved folding, their sequences show very low conservation. Interestingly, sequence variations among species are considered positive traits in the search for suitable therapeutic targets, since non-specific drug interactions might be reduced. These main characteristics of BRCT, as well as its critical implications in key biological processes in the cell, have prompted the study of these domains as therapeutic targets. This review explores the possible roles of BRCT domains as therapeutic targets for drug discovery. We describe their common structural features and relevant interactions and pathways, as well as their implications in pathologic processes. Drugs commonly used to target these domains are also presented. Finally, based on their structures, we describe new drug design possibilities using modern and innovative techniques.
COST
What is COST?

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. The COST ACTIONS help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation.

OneHealthdrugs CA21111
Title:

One Health drugs against parasitic vector borne diseases in Europe and beyond

Acronym:

OneHealthdrugs

Start date of the Action:

24/10/2022

End date of the Action:

23/10/2026

CSO approval date:

27/05/2022

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

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Contact Points
Chair:

Maria Paola Costi

Vice-Chair:

Anabela Cordeiro da Silva

COST staff

Scientific Officer:
Lucia Forzi
Administrative Officer:
Nathalie Warenghien

Administrative Team

Maria Cristina Notarsanto
Maria Esposito and Laura Leonardi