Tethering: fragment-based drug discovery

Annu Rev Biophys Biomol Struct. 2004:33:199-223. doi: 10.1146/annurev.biophys.33.110502.140409.

Abstract

The genomics revolution has provided a deluge of new targets for drug discovery. To facilitate the drug discovery process, many researchers are turning to fragment-based approaches to find lead molecules more efficiently. One such method, Tethering1, allows for the identification of small-molecule fragments that bind to specific regions of a protein target. These fragments can then be elaborated, combined with other molecules, or combined with one another to provide high-affinity drug leads. In this review we describe the background and theory behind Tethering and discuss its use in identifying novel inhibitors for protein targets including interleukin-2 (IL-2), thymidylate synthase (TS), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B), and caspases.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Drug Design*
  • Peptide Fragments / analysis
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Protein Array Analysis / methods*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Mapping / methods*
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proteins