Sigma Receptors as Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress "Gatekeepers" and their Modulators as Emerging New Weapons in the Fight Against Cancer
- PMID:30042674
- PMCID: PMC6048940
- DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00711
Sigma Receptors as Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress "Gatekeepers" and their Modulators as Emerging New Weapons in the Fight Against Cancer
Abstract
Despite the interest aroused by sigma receptors (SRs) in the area of oncology, their role in tumor biology remains enigmatic. The predominant subcellular localization and main site of activity of SRs are the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Current literature data, including recent findings on the sigma 2 receptor subtype (S2R) identity, suggest that SRs may play a role as ER stress gatekeepers. Although SR endogenous ligands are still unknown, a wide series of structurally unrelated compounds able to bind SRs have been identified. Currently, the identification of novel antiproliferative molecules acting via SR interaction is a challenging task for both academia and industry, as shown by the fact that novel anticancer drugs targeting SRs are in the preclinical-stage pipeline of pharmaceutical companies (i.e., Anavex Corp. and Accuronix). So far, no clinically available anticancer drugs targeting SRs are still available. The present review focuses literature advancements and provides a state-of-the-art overview of SRs, with emphasis on their involvement in cancer biology and on the role of SR modulators as anticancer agents. Findings from preclinical studies on novel anticancer drugs targeting SRs are presented in brief.
Keywords: anticancer targeted therapies; cancer cell proliferation; chaperone activity; endoplasmic reticulum stress; sigma receptors.
Figures






Similar articles
- Are sigma modulators an effective opportunity for cancer treatment? A patent overview (1996-2016).Collina S, Bignardi E, Rui M, Rossi D, Gaggeri R, Zamagni A, Cortesi M, Tesei A.Collina S, et al.Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2017 May;27(5):565-578. doi: 10.1080/13543776.2017.1276569. Epub 2017 Jan 13.Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2017.PMID:28051882Review.
- Synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl-alkyl(alkenyl)-4-benzylpiperidines, novel Sigma Receptor (SR) modulators, as potential anticancer-agents.Rui M, Rossi D, Marra A, Paolillo M, Schinelli S, Curti D, Tesei A, Cortesi M, Zamagni A, Laurini E, Pricl S, Schepmann D, Wűnsch B, Urban E, Pace V, Collina S.Rui M, et al.Eur J Med Chem. 2016 Nov 29;124:649-665. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.08.067. Epub 2016 Aug 31.Eur J Med Chem. 2016.PMID:27614411
- Anti-tumor Efficacy Assessment of the Sigma Receptor Pan Modulator RC-106. A Promising Therapeutic Tool for Pancreatic Cancer.Tesei A, Cortesi M, Pignatta S, Arienti C, Dondio GM, Bigogno C, Malacrida A, Miloso M, Meregalli C, Chiorazzi A, Carozzi V, Cavaletti G, Rui M, Marra A, Rossi D, Collina S.Tesei A, et al.Front Pharmacol. 2019 May 14;10:490. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00490. eCollection 2019.Front Pharmacol. 2019.PMID:31156430Free PMC article.
- Sigma-1 receptor: the novel intracellular target of neuropsychotherapeutic drugs.Hayashi T.Hayashi T.J Pharmacol Sci. 2015 Jan;127(1):2-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jphs.2014.07.001. Epub 2014 Dec 9.J Pharmacol Sci. 2015.PMID:25704011Review.
- Sigma receptors and their ligands in cancer biology: overview and new perspectives for cancer therapy.Megalizzi V, Le Mercier M, Decaestecker C.Megalizzi V, et al.Med Res Rev. 2012 Mar;32(2):410-27. doi: 10.1002/med.20218. Epub 2010 Aug 4.Med Res Rev. 2012.PMID:20687157Review.
Cited by
- Structural and Functional Significance of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Unfolded Protein Response Transducers and Chaperones at the Mitochondria-ER Contacts: A Cancer Perspective.Amodio G, Pagliara V, Moltedo O, Remondelli P.Amodio G, et al.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 Mar 26;9:641194. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.641194. eCollection 2021.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021.PMID:33842465Free PMC article.Review.
- Nucleoporin POM121 signals TFEB-mediated autophagy via activation of SIGMAR1/sigma-1 receptor chaperone by pridopidine.Wang SM, Wu HE, Yasui Y, Geva M, Hayden M, Maurice T, Cozzolino M, Su TP.Wang SM, et al.Autophagy. 2023 Jan;19(1):126-151. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2063003. Epub 2022 May 4.Autophagy. 2023.PMID:35507432Free PMC article.
- The Synergetic Effect of EgyptianPortulaca oleracea L. (Purslane) andCichorium intybus L. (Chicory) Extracts against Glucocorticoid-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats through Attenuation of Oxidative Reactions and Autophagy.Saleh SR, Manaa A, Sheta E, Ghareeb DA, Abd-Elmonem NM.Saleh SR, et al.Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Jun 27;11(7):1272. doi: 10.3390/antiox11071272.Antioxidants (Basel). 2022.PMID:35883763Free PMC article.
- Towards a Unitary Hypothesis of Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis.Area-Gomez E, Schon EA.Area-Gomez E, et al.J Alzheimers Dis. 2024;98(4):1243-1275. doi: 10.3233/JAD-231318.J Alzheimers Dis. 2024.PMID:38578892Free PMC article.
- Pan-Sigma Receptor Modulator RC-106 Induces Terminal Unfolded Protein Response InIn Vitro Pancreatic Cancer Model.Cortesi M, Zamagni A, Pignatta S, Zanoni M, Arienti C, Rossi D, Collina S, Tesei A.Cortesi M, et al.Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 27;21(23):9012. doi: 10.3390/ijms21239012.Int J Mol Sci. 2020.PMID:33260926Free PMC article.
References
- Accuronix Therapeutics (2018). Our Approach. Available at:https://accuronix.com/approach/
Publication types
Related information
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Research Materials