Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone responsible for folding denatured and nascent proteins. Numerous proteins required for cancerous growth are dependent on Hsp90 for their conformational maturation to a biologically active three-dimensional protein. Inhibition of Hsp90 results in the simultaneous inhibition of multiple protein targets. The molecules identified herein are designed to inhibit Hsp90 and thus prevent the conformational maturation of Hsp90 dependent proteins.

File Number: 2004 FY 10 

Web site: http://www.medchem.ku.edu/

Other Information: *State of Development* The molecules described herein represent the first set of new lead compounds for the inhibition of Hsp90. Future studies will be required to determine whether these molecules can be further optimized and whether they behave similarly in cells/animals. Available for licensing.