New methods for the rational identification of molecules capable of interacting with specific naturally occurring proteins are provided, in order to yield new pharmacologically important compounds and treatment modalities. Broadly, the method comprises the steps of identifying a switch control ligand forming a part of a particular protein of interest, and also identifying a complemental switch control pocket forming a part of the protein and which interacts with said switch control ligand. The ligand interacts in vivo with the pocket to regulate the conformation and biological activity of the protein such that the protein assumes a first conformation and a first biological activity upon the ligand-pocket interaction, and assumes a second, different conformation and biological activity in the absence of the ligand-pocket interaction. Next, respective samples of said protein in the first and second conformations are provided, and these are screened against one or more candidate molecules by contacting the molecules and the samples. Thereupon, small molecules which bind with the protein at the region of the pocket may be identified. Novel protein-modulator adducts and methods of altering protein activity are also provided.
提供了一种合理鉴定能够与特定自然存在的蛋白质相互作用的分子的新方法,以产生新的药理学重要化合物和治疗方法。广泛地说,该方法包括以下步骤:鉴定一个开关控制
配体,其构成所需蛋白质的一部分,以及鉴定一个补充的开关控制口袋,其构成所需蛋白质的一部分,并与所述开关控制
配体相互作用。
配体在体内与口袋相互作用,以调节蛋白质的构象和
生物活性,使蛋白质在
配体-口袋相互作用时呈现第一构象和第一
生物活性,并在缺乏
配体-口袋相互作用时呈现第二种不同的构象和
生物活性。接下来,提供所述蛋白质的第一和第二构象的各个样品,并通过接触分子和样品筛选一个或多个候选分子。然后,可以鉴定与口袋区域的蛋白质结合的小分子。还提供了新的蛋白质调节剂加合物和改变蛋白质活性的方法。