RNase: A Novel Enzyme For Treatment Of Cancers

Abstract

Ribonucleases (RNase) catalyses the breakdown of RNA into smaller components. The cytotoxic effects of RNase include the RNA cleavage leading to the inhibition of the protein synthesis and the induction of apoptosis. RNases uniquely influence several functions in the tumor cell simultaneously and demonstrated the ability to overcome multi-drug resistance and to enhance the cytotoxicity of a variety of anti-cancer agents. Different RNases such as onconases, bovine seminal RNase, RNase T1, α-sarcin, RNase P, actibind and RNaseT2 have recently been studied for the treatment of different type of cancers.