Ribonucleotide reductase is an enzyme that is essential for DNA synthesis and repair. It is composed of 2 dimeric proteins called R1 and R2 that are both necessary for enzymatic activity that reduces ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides. This is the rate-limiting reaction that provides a supply of precursors for DNA synthesis therefore it is essential for cell proliferation. The importance of understanding the complex regulation of ribonucleotide reductase is emphasized by observations that mechanisms controlling its expression and activity may be altered during malignant cell proliferation which leads to drug resistance, making it a useful target to develop chemotherapeutic compounds in the treatment of cancer. Expression studies with the R1 and R2 genes have provided evidence for a direct role for the components of ribonucleotide reductase in determining malignant potential. Ribonucleotide reductase is regulated by transcriptional activation of gene expression and post-transcriptional mechanisms that alter mRNA message stability. Post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA turnover plays an important role in modulating mRNA steady state levels and therefore directly influences gene expression. The 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of R1 and R2 messages contain sequences that are important in regulating gene expression through changes in message stability. Studies have found that mRNA message stability is mediated by growth factors, cytokines and tumor promoters. Several studies have elucidated signal transduction pathways of tumor promoters, TGF-β and oxidation/reduction agents. This report reviews how knowledge of these signaling pathways is revealing new insights into how ribonucleotide reductase mRNA binding proteins are important in regulating cellular proliferation, drug resistance and malignancy.

Related Articles