Hsp90 activity modulation by plant secondary metabolites

Hsp90 is an evolutionarily conserved ATP-dependent molecular chaperone and is one of the most abundant proteins in the cells (1-3%). Hsp90 is induced when a cell undergoes various types of environmental stresses such as heat, cold, oxygen deprivation. It is involved in the turnover, trafficking, and activity of client proteins, including apoptotic factors, protein kinases, transcription factors, signalling proteins, and a number of oncoproteins. Most of the Hsp90 client proteins are involved in cell growth, differentiation and survival, and include kinases, nuclear hormone receptors, transcription factors and other proteins associated with almost all the hallmarks of cancer. Consistent with these diverse activities, genetic and biochemical studies have demonstrated the implication of Hsp90 in a range of diseases, including cancer, making this chaperone an interesting target for drug research. During the last few decades, plant secondary metabolites have been studied as a major source for lead compounds in drug discovery. Recently, several plant−derived small molecules have been discovered exhibiting inhibitory activity towards Hsp90, such as epigallocatechin gallate, gedunin, lentiginosine, celastrol, and deguelin. In this work, an overview of plant secondary metabolites interfering with Hsp90 activities is provided.