The inhibition of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A: a new target for rational anti-cancer drug design?

Recent investigations in our laboratories have highlighted that the inhibition of the serine/threonine protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A) is an excellent target for the development of novel anti-cancer agents. Using a combination of the known crystal structure of PP1 and the modelled structure of PP2A, we have rationally designed a new class of protein phosphatase inhibitors, cantharimides, which exhibit broad-spectrum anti-cancer activity. Synthetic modifications of the simplest known PP1 and PP2A inhibitor, norcantharidin, has led to the development of potent PP1 and PP2A inhibitors.