Shepherdin (79 – 87) – Other Categories

Shepherdin is an antagonist of the interaction between the apoptosis protein, survivin, and the molecular chaperone, heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). The sequence of shepherdin corresponds to the site where Hsp90 binds to survivin. Shepherdin therefore has high affinity for Hsp90 and thus disrupts survivin binding and acts as an inhibitor of Hsp90 ATPase function by competing with ATP. The survivin-Hsp90 complex is a regulator of cell proliferation and cell viability in cancer tissue. Shepherdin has anti-cancer properties and can significantly suppress the growth of lung cancer cell lines and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) by inducing apoptosis.