Farnesyl Transferase

Farnesyl transferase is an enzyme involved in the post-translational modification of proteins through a process known as farnesylation. This process attaches a farnesyl group, a type of lipid, to a protein, which facilitates the association of the protein with cell membranes. Farnesylation is crucial for the function of many proteins involved in cell signaling and regulation, including members of the Ras protein family, which play pivotal roles in cell growth and development. Due to the importance of Ras proteins in cancer progression, farnesyl transferase has become a target for anticancer drug development, with inhibitors designed to block the farnesylation step, thus potentially preventing the growth of cancer cells.