Beta III Tubulin, Disulfide Bonds and Drug Resistance: A Novel Approach to the Treatment of Breast Cancer

摘要

Tubulin, a potential target for chemotherapy, plays an important role in different cellular functions including mitosis and cell division. Tubulin consists of mainly alpha and beta subunits: each subunit exists in several isoforms. The distribution and expression of beta- isoforms differ from tissue to tissue: beta(II) and beta(IV) are ubiquitously expressed while beta(III) expression is restricted to neurons and cancer cells. Moreover, alpha beta (III) has least affinity for anti-tubulin drugs. In this study, we correlated the expression and structural stability of beta(III)-tubulin in response to oxidative stress in cancer and drug resistant cells.