Question

Find a journal article that outlines research done using cell cycle (any aspect) as a target for cancer therapy. (what cell cycle/phase?)

Answer 1

Note: ​​​​​​Cell cycle is very important factor for mammalian growth & development.It consists of 5 - phases: G0 (or) gap 0 phase - This is the resting phase;

G1 phase - It involves production of mRNA & Proteins for DNA replication.

S (synthetic) phase - DNA is replicated.

G2 phase - growth of proteins & other materials required for cell division occurs.

M ( Mitotic) phase - cell divides into daughter cells.

For a proper cell proliferation cell cycle checkpoints are evolved. This checkpoints can induce cell-cycle arrest in response to any defects in cell- cycle. The cell cycle arrest helps to repair the defects (or) if repair is not possible cell death is initiated to prevent any defect in genome of daughter cells. Some of the cell cycle checkpoints are as following:

G1/S checkpoint - restricts damaged DNA from entering S phase.  

Inter-S checkpoint - slow down DNA replication to minimize errors in replication of DNA.

G2/M checkpoint - prevents premature cell to enter M phase.

Spindle assembly checkpoint ( MITOTIC checkpoint) - helps to produce genetically identical cells &

Post mitotic checkpoints - prevents abnormal cell to enter next interphase.

The loss of cell cycle control mechanism leads to various forms of cancers. Many different therapeutics are developed bwhich target the cell cycle to prevent abnormal cell division to treat Cancer.

1.# In a cancer therapy mostly M phase of the Cell Cycle is targeted because it is the main phase of cell cycle that is involved in division of cells.

The targets include- Spindle assemble checkpoints; Mitotic CDKs; Motor Proteins etc..

Note: The other phases can also be targeted like the checkpoints G1/S phase & G2/M phase to prevent cancer cells to divide.