Incomplete protein packing as a selectivity filter in drug design

Structure. 2005 Dec;13(12):1829-36. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2005.08.018.

Abstract

The conservation of structure across paralog proteins promotes alternative protein-ligand associations often leading to side effects in drug-based inhibition. However, sticky packing defects are typically not conserved across paralogs, making them suitable targets to reduce drug toxicity. This observation enables a strategy for the design of highly specific inhibitors involving ligands that wrap nonconserved packing defects. The selectivity of these inhibitors is evidenced in affinity assays on a cancer-related pharmacokinome: a powerful inhibitor is redesigned by using the wrapping technology to enhance its selectivity and affinity for a target kinase. In this way, the packing defects of a soluble protein may be used as selectivity filters for drug design.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Drug Design*
  • Ligands
  • Protein Folding
  • Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Ligands
  • Proteins