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Ligand Binding Sites

Ligand Binding Sites

Proteins are dynamic macromolecules that carry out a wide variety of essential processes; however, the activities of most proteins depend on their interactions with other molecules or ions, known as ligands.
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...

Ligand Binding Sites

Ligand Binding Sites

Proteins are dynamic macromolecules that carry out a wide variety of essential processes; however, the activities of most proteins depend on their interactions with other molecules or ions, known as ligands.
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...

Ligand Binding and Linkage

Ligand Binding and Linkage

Allosteric proteins have more than one ligand binding site; the binding of a ligand to any of these sites influences the binding of ligands to the other sites. When a protein is allosteric, its binding sites are called coupled or linked. In the case of enzymes, the site that binds to the substrate is known as the active site and the other site is known as the regulatory site. When a ligand binds to the regulatory site, this leads to conformational changes in the protein that can influence the...

Ligand Binding and Linkage

Ligand Binding and Linkage

Allosteric proteins have more than one ligand binding site; the binding of a ligand to any of these sites influences the binding of ligands to the other sites. When a protein is allosteric, its binding sites are called coupled or linked. In the case of enzymes, the site that binds to the substrate is known as the active site and the other site is known as the regulatory site. When a ligand binds to the regulatory site, this leads to conformational changes in the protein that can influence the...

Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes

Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes

Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...

Metal-Ligand Bonds

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: September 19, 2017

A structural analysis of G-quadruplex/ligand interactions.

Shozeb M Haider¹, Stephen Neidle, Gary N Parkinson

¹Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. s.haider@qub.ac.uk

|June 4, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Small molecule ligands can bind to G-quadruplex structures, which are crucial in gene regulation. Understanding ligand interactions with these DNA structures aids in designing targeted therapies.

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Last Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: September 19, 2017

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes

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In Vitro Chemical Mapping of G-Quadruplex DNA Structures by Bis-3-Chloropiperidines

In Vitro Chemical Mapping of G-Quadruplex DNA Structures by Bis-3-Chloropiperidines

Published on: May 12, 2023

Area of Science:

Structural biology
Medicinal chemistry
Genetics

Background:

G-quadruplexes are four-stranded nucleic acid structures.
They are stabilized by guanine G-quartets and hydrogen bonding.
G-quadruplexes play roles in telomere regulation and gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

To review high-resolution structural data of small molecule ligand/G-quadruplex complexes.
To understand key factors in ligand binding to G-quadruplexes.
To highlight the biological importance of these complexes and aid in selective ligand design.

Main Methods:

Analysis of crystallographic and NMR-based structural data.
Review of existing literature on ligand-G-quadruplex interactions.
Introduction of two new crystallographic quadruplex/ligand structures.

Main Results:

G-quadruplex loops are adaptable and can create new binding platforms for ligands.
Ligand binding can induce unexpected structural rearrangements in G-quadruplexes.
These rearrangements complicate rational ligand design but offer new opportunities.

Conclusions:

Structural insights into ligand-G-quadruplex interactions are expanding.
Understanding structural adaptations is key for designing selective G-quadruplex targeting agents.
This review aids in the development of novel therapeutic entities.