Research: Elusive drug targets; cell demolition enzymes; useful pharmacogenomics info

Predicting difficult-to-detect drug binding sites Most drugs are comprised of small molecules that pass through cell membranes and are designed to bind to much larger protein molecules at exposed concave pockets. But in many disease-associated proteins, these binding sites are difficult to detect. Concave pockets may form only in the immediate presence of small molecules that bind to them (natural ligands or drugs) or are open only for brief periods during protein shape-shifting.
Source: UCSF School of Pharmacy News - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Source Type: news