Targeting macromolecular interface is a general mechanism by which natural products inactivate macromolecular complexes by stabilizing normally transient intermediates. Demonstrating interfacial inhibition mechanism ultimately relies on the resolution of drug-macromolecule structures. This review focuses on medicinal drugs that trap protein-DNA complexes by binding at protein-DNA interfaces. It provides proof-of-concept and detailed structural and mechanistic examples for topoisomerase inhibitors and HIV integrase inhibitors. Additional examples of recent interfacial inhibitors for protein-DNA interfaces are provided, as well as prospects for targeting previously 'undruggable' targets including transcription, replication and chromatin remodeling complexes. References and discussion are included for interfacial inhibitors of protein-protein interfaces.
Keywords: Chemotherapy; Integrase; Natural products; Pharmacology; Topoisomerase.
Published by Elsevier Ltd.