Cyclacel Limited

Emma Warbrick

David Philip Lane

David Moore Glover

Lynne Suzanne Cox

PCNA binding substance

Substances are disclosed which have the property of binding to PCNA, the substances comprising (i) a fragment of the p21,protein including residues 141 to 160 of the p21,amino acid sequence, or an active portion or derivative thereof; or (ii) functional mimetics of these protein fragments. In particular, the PCNA binding activity is shown to lie within the sequence motif OTSMTDFY, with the residues shown in bold being critical for PCNA binding, with those underlined being important. These substances are useful in the treatments of disorders in which PCNA is implicated, e.g. hyperproliferative disorders such as cancer and psoriasis, the substances binding to PCNA to inactivate it or functionally deplete its level. Also disclosed is the use of a yeast two hybrid screening technique for screening candidate peptides for binding to PCNA.

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Fife, United Kingdom

Emma Warbrick