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Nature 450, 1001-1009 (13 December 2007) | doi:10.1038/nature06526; Published online 12 December 2007
Open Innovation Challenges
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Protect Enzyme from In Planta Degradation
A proposal for stable expression of an enzyme in corn seed is desired.
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Fast Growth of Transformed Soybean Shoots
A method for accelerating growth of soybean shoots is desired.
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Postdoctoral Position, Endocrine Unit
- MGH-Harvard Medical School
- MGH, 50 Blossom Street, Boston MA 02114
2 Post-Doctoral Positions
- German Cancer Research Center
- Heidelberg 69120 Germany
Review Article Reaching for high-hanging fruit in drug discovery at protein–protein interfaces
James A. Wells1,2 & Christopher L. McClendon3
Abstract
Targeting the interfaces between proteins has huge therapeutic potential, but discovering small-molecule drugs that disrupt protein–protein interactions is an enormous challenge. Several recent success stories, however, indicate that protein–protein interfaces might be more tractable than has been thought. These studies discovered small molecules that bind with drug-like potencies to 'hotspots' on the contact surfaces involved in protein–protein interactions. Remarkably, these small molecules bind deeper within the contact surface of the target protein, and bind with much higher efficiencies, than do the contact atoms of the natural protein partner. Some of these small molecules are now making their way through clinical trials, so this high-hanging fruit might not be far out of reach.
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