Research has uncovered molecular surveillance mechanisms called checkpoints that tightly monitor cell-cycle processes. Further research promises to uncover a new generation of anticancer drugs with improved therapeutic indices based on their ability to target emerging checkpoint components. This title summarizes the advances made over the past 20 years, identifying components of cell-cycle checkpoints and their molecular regulation during checkpoint activation and validating the use of checkpoint proteins as targets for the development of anticancer drugs. The distinguished panel of authors takes a close look at topics ranging from the major molecular players affecting DNA synthesis to advances in the identification of chemical compounds capable of inhibiting individual mitotic kinases. The book offers a critical summary of findings for researchers in pharmaceutics, biotechnology, cancer, cell-cycle regulation, signal transduction, and apoptosis.

First book to summarize recent advances in identifying components of cell-cycle checkpoints and validating the use of checkpoint proteins as targets for the development of anticancer drugs Distinguished authors write on topics that range from the molecular players affecting DNA synthesis and the response to DNA damage, to advances in the identification of inhibitors for individual mitotic kinases Offers a summary of their findings for researchers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries Valuable resource for cancer researchers studying of cell-cycle regulation, signal transduction, and apoptosis

Inhalt
RB-Pathway.- Targeting the p53/MDM2 Pathway for Cancer Therapy.- DNA Topoisomerases as Targets for the Chemotherapeutic Treatment of Cancer.- Targeting ATM/ATR in the DNA Damage Checkpoint.- Compounds that Abrogate the G2 Checkpoint.- CDK Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents.- CHFR as a Potential Anticancer Target.- Antimicrotubule Agents.- Kinesin Motor Inhibitors as Effective Anticancer Drugs.- Targeting the Spindle Checkpoint in Cancer Chemotherapy.- Antiproliferation Inhibitors Targeting Aurora Kinases.- Plks as Novel Targets for Cancer Drug Design.- Do Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Target Cell Cycle Checkpoints that Monitor Heterochromatin Structure?.