Peptide-mediated interactions in biological systems: new discoveries and applications

Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2008 Aug;19(4):344-50. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2008.06.004. Epub 2008 Jul 12.

Abstract

Peptide-mediated interactions play very important roles in cellular processes. Recent years have seen much activity in the discovery of new bioactive peptides, and interactions mediated by protein-peptide binding events. At the same time, computational approaches continue to be developed that allow protein-peptide interactions to be discovered with great accuracy. There are also a growing number of chemicals that can target these interactions with various applications in disease. Both new discoveries and predictions suggest that these protein-peptide interactions play greater roles in cellular processes than previously thought. We propose that projects to uncover the protein-peptide repertoire used in Nature in a systematic way will have numerous applications in molecular biology and medicine.

MeSH terms

  • Models, Molecular
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Proteins