Finding a better path to drug selectivity
Yuko Kawasaki1, Ernesto Freire
1Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Abstract:
Extremely high affinity and selectivity are two of the most sought-after properties of drug molecules. Selectivity has been difficult to achieve, especially for targets that belong to large families of structurally and functionally related proteins. There are essentially two ways by which selectivity can be improved during lead optimization: a chemical modification of the lead compound that improves the affinity towards the target to a higher extent than to off-target molecules; and a chemical modification that lowers the affinity of the lead compound towards off-target molecules. Maximal selectivity is achieved when both mechanisms can be combined synergistically. As we discuss here, analysis of several protease inhibitors that vary in a single functionality indicates that nonpolar functionalities preferentially follow the first mechanism, whereas polar functionalities follow the second, and that those features are imprinted in their thermodynamic signatures.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Discovery: Overview
Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design
SAR studies the intricate relationship between a drug's chemical structure and biological activity. It focuses on understanding how modifications to a drug's structure can influence its...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Dose-Response Relationship: Selectivity and Specificity
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Problems
Principles of Drug Action
Drugs can be agonists or antagonists. Like the endogenous ligands, agonists always bind and activate the target to produce a cellular response. Agonist binding induces a conformational change which in turn...

