XRN2 Inhibitors

The chemical class of XRN2 Inhibitors consists of a variety of compounds that indirectly suppress the activity of XRN2, an enzyme essential for mRNA processing and degradation. These inhibitors function by modulating different aspects of RNA metabolism and cellular processes, thereby impacting the availability of RNA substrates for XRN2. Antibiotics like Actinomycin D and toxins such as α-Amanitin exemplify this mechanism by inhibiting RNA polymerase, which leads to a decrease in new RNA synthesis, thereby reducing the substrate availability for XRN2 and indirectly inhibiting its activity. Other significant members of this class include transcription inhibitors like DRB and Flavopiridol. These compounds affect the synthesis of RNA by inhibiting transcriptional activities, which in turn leads to reduced RNA substrates for XRN2. Similarly, Leptomycin B, an inhibitor of nuclear export, alters RNA processing and transport, impacting the substrate availability for XRN2 degradation.

Compounds like Cordycepin and Triptolide, which inhibit RNA polymerase, and Rocaglamide, known for its translation inhibition properties, contribute to this class by reducing the pool of RNA substrates available for XRN2. This reduction in substrate availability indirectly inhibits the enzyme's function. Additionally, compounds such as Mycophenolic Acid, Tunicamycin, and Brefeldin A, which affect various cellular processes like inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase activity and protein transport, also play a role in this class. By impacting these processes, these inhibitors can indirectly reduce XRN2 activity by affecting RNA metabolism and processing. Lastly, Homoharringtonine, an alkaloid that inhibits protein synthesis, contributes to this chemical class by potentially reducing the availability of RNA substrates for XRN2.