Control of tumor cell biology through regulation of peptide hormone processing

Abstract

Control of the biology of individual cells, organs, and organisms is achieved through an interplay of a host of specific interactions, many involving peptide hormones as modulators or effectors. In tumor cells these processes may result in uncontrolled growth as a consequence of autocrine and/or paracrine growth effects. Most peptide hormones are bioactive only after processing of the precursor prohormone by posttranslational processing enzymes. The enzymes involved with the production of bioactive peptides, in particular those associated with peptide alpha-amidation, provide potential targets for disruption of posttranslational processing mechanisms as a means of regulation of the progression of tumor cells. This information provides a rational basis for consideration of inhibition of autocrine neuropeptide synthesis as a strategy for chemointervention.