Protein-protein interactions as drug targets

Future Med Chem. 2015;7(16):2195-219. doi: 10.4155/fmc.15.138. Epub 2015 Oct 29.

Abstract

Modulation of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is becoming increasingly important in drug discovery and chemical biology. While a few years ago this 'target class' was deemed to be largely undruggable an impressing number of publications and success stories now show that targeting PPIs with small, drug-like molecules indeed is a feasible approach. Here, we summarize the current state of small-molecule inhibition and stabilization of PPIs and review the active molecules from a structural and medicinal chemistry angle, especially focusing on the key examples of iNOS, LFA-1 and 14-3-3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 14-3-3 Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / drug effects*
  • Protein Interaction Maps / drug effects
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemistry
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II