Affinity Modulation of Small-Molecule Ligands by Borrowing Endogenous Protein Surfaces
Abstract
A general strategy is described for improving the binding properties of small-molecule ligands to protein targets. A bifunctional molecule is created by chemically linking a ligand of interest to another small molecule that binds tightly to a second protein. When the ligand of interest is presented to the target protein by the second protein, additional protein-protein interactions outside of the ligand-binding sites serve either to increase or decrease the affinity of the binding event. We have applied this approach to an intractable target, the SH2 domain, and demonstrate a 3-fold enhancement over the natural peptide. This approach provides a way to modulate the potency and specificity of biologically active compounds.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- March 1999
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.96.5.1953
- Bibcode:
- 1999PNAS...96.1953B