Centrin-3 Inhibitors

Centrin-3, a member of the centrin protein family, is primarily localized in the centrosome and functions as a key regulator of centriole duplication and stability. Centrosomes serve as the primary microtubule-organizing centers in animal cells, orchestrating processes such as cell division and intracellular transport. Within the centrosome, centrin-3 interacts with various proteins involved in centriole assembly and cohesion, contributing to the accurate duplication and maintenance of centrioles during the cell cycle. Additionally, centrin-3 plays a crucial role in coordinating centrosome positioning and dynamics, ensuring proper spindle formation and chromosome segregation during mitosis. Dysregulation of centrin-3 expression or function can lead to aberrant centriole duplication, centrosome amplification, and chromosome segregation errors, contributing to genomic instability and cell cycle defects.

Inhibition of centrin-3 involves targeting its interactions with other centrosomal proteins and disrupting its regulatory functions in centriole duplication and stability. One mechanism of inhibition involves interfering with the binding between centrin-3 and its interacting partners, preventing the formation of functional protein complexes essential for centriole assembly and cohesion. Additionally, small molecule inhibitors or peptides can be designed to target specific domains or structural features of centrin-3, disrupting its structural integrity or interfering with its subcellular localization within the centrosome. Furthermore, post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation or acetylation, can regulate centrin-3 activity and stability, providing additional opportunities for pharmacological inhibition. By targeting centrin-3 inhibition, researchers aim to elucidate its role in centrosome biology.