Design and Applications of Bifunctional Small Molecules: Why Two Heads Are Better Than One

ACS Chem Biol. 2008 Nov 21;3(11):677-692. doi: 10.1021/cb8001792.

Abstract

Induction of protein--protein interactions is a daunting challenge, but recent studies show promise for small molecules that specifically bring two or more protein molecules together for enhanced or novel biological effect. The first such bifunctional molecules were the rapamycin- and FK506-based "chemical inducers of dimerization", but the field has since expanded with new molecules and new applications in chemical genetics and cell biology. Examples include coumermycin-mediated gyrase B dimerization, proteolysis targeting chimeric molecules (PROTACs), drug hybrids, and strategies for exploiting multivalency in toxin binding and antibody recruitment. This Review discusses these and other advances in the design and use of bifunctional small molecules and potential strategies for future systems.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dimerization
  • Drug Design*
  • Ligands
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Proteins