C9orf21 Inhibitors

C9orf21 inhibitors encompass a variety of chemical compounds that exert their inhibitory effect by elevating oxidative stress or impairing the cell's antioxidant defense mechanisms, in which C9orf21 plays a critical role. For instance, some inhibitors interfere with DNA repair processes, leading to an accumulation of oxidative DNA damage that C9orf21 is unable to counteract, thus indirectly diminishing its protective function. Other inhibitors focus on disrupting cellular redox balance by inhibiting key enzymes involved in maintaining this equilibrium, which increases oxidative stress, thereby saturating C9orf21's peroxidase activity and reducing its capacity to neutralize reactive oxygen species. Additionally, certain inhibitors chelate metal ions, potentially decreasing the availability of cofactors that are vital for C9orf21's antioxidant activity, further contributing to the inhibition of its function.

Another facet of C9orf21 inhibition involves compounds that generate oxidative stress either as a primary effect or as a secondary consequence of their primary action. Heavy metals and specific metabolites increase the generation of reactive oxygen species, which can exceed the neutralizing capacity of C9orf21, effectively inhibiting its function. Some inhibitors may also act as radical scavengers themselves, thus reducing the substrateavailability for C9orf21 and indirectly decreasing its activity. Other compounds increase lysosomal pH, causing secondary oxidative stress that challenges C9orf21's ability to maintain cellular redox homeostasis. Moreover, the use of certain compounds leads to glutathione depletion, resulting in an overwhelming increase in oxidative load that C9orf21 cannot efficiently manage, leading to its functional inhibition.