Conformational restriction: an effective tactic in 'follow-on'-based drug discovery

Future Med Chem. 2014 May;6(8):885-901. doi: 10.4155/fmc.14.50.

Abstract

The conformational restriction (rigidification) of a flexible ligand has often been a commonly used strategy in drug design, as it can minimize the entropic loss associated with the ligand adopting a preferred conformation for binding, which leads to enhanced potency for a given physiological target, improved selectivity for isoforms and reduced the possibility of drug metabolism. Therefore, the application of conformational restriction strategy is a core aspect of drug discovery and development that is widely practiced by medicinal chemists either deliberately or subliminally. The present review will highlight current representative examples and a brief overview on the rational design of conformationally restricted agents as well as discuss its advantages over the flexible counterparts.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / metabolism
  • Anti-HIV Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Discovery*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Protease / chemistry
  • HIV Protease / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Neuroprotective Agents / chemistry
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, CXCR / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, CXCR / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Receptors, CXCR
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • HIV Protease