Targeting Nucleolar GTP-Binding Protein Nucleostemin for Improving Treatment Options in Leukemia

Marveh Rahmati^1*, Aila Fakhimahmadi², Saeid Amanpour¹, Mohammad Padeganeh² & Mohammad Amin Moosavi^2*

¹Cancer Biology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
²Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical biotechnology, National Institute for genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran

Marveh Rahmati, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Keywords: Leukemia; Nucleolar Protein; Nucleostemin, Therapy

Abstract

Leukemia stem cells (LSC) are the root of leukemia and known as the major cause of the relapse in leukemia patients. It is believed that therapeutic strategies based on targeting these drug resistance LSCs may ultimately result in eradication of leukemia and curing this disease. Here, we highlight the fundamental roles of nucleolar proteins, with a focus on nucleolar GTP-binding protein nucleostemin (NS), in controlling cell fate and maintaining genome and telomere integrity of normal and cancer stem cells. Then, we provide evidence to propose that new therapeutic approaches based on NS targeting might be utilized for sensitizing cancerous cells to chemotherapy, and consequently for improving current therapeutic options available to treat leukemia.

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).