701
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Singh SB, Barrett JF. Empirical antibacterial drug discovery—Foundation in natural products. Biochem Pharmacol 2006; 71:1006-15. [PMID: 16412984 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2005.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2005] [Revised: 12/09/2005] [Accepted: 12/09/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural products have been a rich source in providing leads for the development of drugs for the treatment of bacterial infections. However, beyond the discovery of the natural product, thienamycin and the synthetic lead, oxazolidinone in the 1970s, there has been a dearth of new compounds. This commentary provides an overview of current antibiotic leads and their mechanism of action, and highlights tools that can be applied to the discovery of new antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheo B Singh
- Natural Products Chemistry, RY80Y-350, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. 2000, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
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702
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Leeds JA, Schmitt EK, Krastel P. Recent developments in antibacterial drug discovery: microbe-derived natural products – from collection to the clinic. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2006; 15:211-26. [PMID: 16503759 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.15.3.211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The pharmaceutical industry has historically relied on nature to provide compounds for antibacterial drug discovery. In recent years, several pharmaceutical companies have scaled back their efforts in natural product research. Nevertheless, the screening of natural products for antibacterial activity continues to provide excellent sources of biologically and chemically informative leads for new drugs. New technologies in high-throughput cultivation, genetic approaches to biodiversity and discovery of relatively untapped sources of natural products are expanding the ability to find novel, potent and highly selective antibacterial structures. Advances in purification, dereplication and structure elucidation, combined with the ability to chemically or biologically derivatise hits, aim to make the timeline for natural product-derived drug discovery similar or shorter than that expected for small synthetic molecules. This review addresses the strengths and shortcomings of technologies focused on microbe-derived natural products for antibacterial drug discovery and stresses the need for commitment to these approaches in order to achieve the goal of delivering safe, efficacious and high-quality medicines in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Leeds
- Infectious Diseases Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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703
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Debreczeni JÉ, Bullock AN, Atilla GE, Williams DS, Bregman H, Knapp S, Meggers E. Ruthenium Half-Sandwich Complexes Bound to Protein Kinase Pim-1. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2006. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.200503468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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704
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Abstract
A recent publication revealing that the cytotoxic marine natural product pateamine A targets eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4A continues a story with lessons for both chemists and biologists, that is, the significance of natural products, the importance of synthetic organic chemistry, the small molecule regulation of eukaryotic translation machinery, and possibly a new approach to cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Clardy
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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705
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Wyatt EE, Fergus S, Galloway WRJD, Bender A, Fox DJ, Plowright AT, Jessiman AS, Welch M, Spring DR. Skeletal diversity construction via a branching synthetic strategy. Chem Commun (Camb) 2006:3296-8. [PMID: 16883415 DOI: 10.1039/b607710b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A branching synthetic strategy was used to efficiently generate structurally diverse scaffolds, which span a broad area of chemical descriptor space, and their biological activity against MRSA was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E Wyatt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
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706
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Engelmeier D, Hadacek F. Chapter 17 Antifungal natural products: assays and applications. ADVANCES IN PHYTOMEDICINE 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1572-557x(06)03017-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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707
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Bender A, Fergus S, Galloway WRJD, Glansdorp FG, Marsden DM, Nicholson RL, Spandl RJ, Thomas GL, Wyatt EE, Glen RC, Spring DR. Diversity oriented synthesis: a challenge for synthetic chemists. ERNST SCHERING RESEARCH FOUNDATION WORKSHOP 2006:47-60. [PMID: 16708998 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-37635-4_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This article covers the diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) of small molecules in order to generate a collection of pure compounds that are attractive for lead generation in a phenotypic, high-throughput screening approach useful for chemical genetics and drug discovery programmes. Nature synthesizes a rich structural diversity of small molecules, however, unfortunately, there are some disadvantages with using natural product sources for diverse small-molecule discovery. Nevertheless we have a lot to learn from nature. The efficient chemical synthesis of structural diversity (and complexity) is the aim of DOS. Highlights of this article include a discussion of nature's and synthetic chemists' strategies to obtain structural diversity and an analysis of molecular descriptors used to classify compounds. The assessment of how successful one diversity-oriented synthesis is vs another is subjective; therefore we use freely available software (www.cheminformatics.org/diversity) to assess structural diversity in any combinatorial synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bender
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK.
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708
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Koch MA, Schuffenhauer A, Scheck M, Wetzel S, Casaulta M, Odermatt A, Ertl P, Waldmann H. Charting biologically relevant chemical space: a structural classification of natural products (SCONP). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:17272-7. [PMID: 16301544 PMCID: PMC1297657 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0503647102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 443] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of small molecules that fall within the biologically relevant subfraction of vast chemical space is of utmost importance to chemical biology and medicinal chemistry research. The prerequirement of biological relevance to be met by such molecules is fulfilled by natural product-derived compound collections. We report a structural classification of natural products (SCONP) as organizing principle for charting the known chemical space explored by nature. SCONP arranges the scaffolds of the natural products in a tree-like fashion and provides a viable analysis- and hypothesis-generating tool for the design of natural product-derived compound collections. The validity of the approach is demonstrated in the development of a previously undescribed class of selective and potent inhibitors of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 with activity in cells guided by SCONP and protein structure similarity clustering. 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 is a target in the development of new therapies for the treatment of diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus A Koch
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
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709
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Lee SC, Park SB. Solid-Phase Parallel Synthesis of Natural Product-Like Diaza-Bridged Heterocycles through Pictet−Spengler Intramolecular Cyclization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 8:50-7. [PMID: 16398553 DOI: 10.1021/cc0501054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A multistep, practical solid-phase strategy for the synthesis of natural product-like diaza-bridged heterocycles was developed. A key step in the library synthesis is tandem acidolytic cleavage with subsequent in situ iminium formation followed by the Pictet-Spengler intramolecular cyclization. The Pictet-Spengler-type intramolecular cyclization step was regioselective and diastereoselective to give final products as single diastereomers in exceptional yields and purities, which was confirmed by NMR structural study and LC/MS analysis. This approach is exemplified by the preparation of a 384-member library of 3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-6-en-2-one skeletons, fused with indole and dihydroxybenzene and diversified at two bridging nitrogen atoms, using the solid-phase parallel synthetic methodology without further purification. In this pilot library, two diastereomerically enriched diaza-bridged core skeletons were modified by amide and urea bond formation on bridging nitrogen atoms, and this scheme exhibits the potential for expansion to obtain further diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Chan Lee
- School of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea
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710
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High yield of natural products. Nat Chem Biol 2005. [DOI: 10.1038/nchembio1105-299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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711
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Basso LA, da Silva LHP, Fett-Neto AG, de Azevedo WF, Moreira IDS, Palma MS, Calixto JB, Astolfi Filho S, dos Santos RR, Soares MBP, Santos DS. The use of biodiversity as source of new chemical entities against defined molecular targets for treatment of malaria, tuberculosis, and T-cell mediated diseases: a review. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2005; 100:475-506. [PMID: 16302058 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762005000600001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The modern approach to the development of new chemical entities against complex diseases, especially the neglected endemic diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, is based on the use of defined molecular targets. Among the advantages, this approach allows (i) the search and identification of lead compounds with defined molecular mechanisms against a defined target (e.g. enzymes from defined pathways), (ii) the analysis of a great number of compounds with a favorable cost/benefit ratio, (iii) the development even in the initial stages of compounds with selective toxicity (the fundamental principle of chemotherapy), (iv) the evaluation of plant extracts as well as of pure substances. The current use of such technology, unfortunately, is concentrated in developed countries, especially in the big pharma. This fact contributes in a significant way to hamper the development of innovative new compounds to treat neglected diseases. The large biodiversity within the territory of Brazil puts the country in a strategic position to develop the rational and sustained exploration of new metabolites of therapeutic value. The extension of the country covers a wide range of climates, soil types, and altitudes, providing a unique set of selective pressures for the adaptation of plant life in these scenarios. Chemical diversity is also driven by these forces, in an attempt to best fit the plant communities to the particular abiotic stresses, fauna, and microbes that co-exist with them. Certain areas of vegetation (Amazonian Forest, Atlantic Forest, Araucaria Forest, Cerrado-Brazilian Savanna, and Caatinga) are rich in species and types of environments to be used to search for natural compounds active against tuberculosis, malaria, and chronic-degenerative diseases. The present review describes some strategies to search for natural compounds, whose choice can be based on ethnobotanical and chemotaxonomical studies, and screen for their ability to bind to immobilized drug targets and to inhibit their activities. Molecular cloning, gene knockout, protein expression and purification, N-terminal sequencing, and mass spectrometry are the methods of choice to provide homogeneous drug targets for immobilization by optimized chemical reactions. Plant extract preparations, fractionation of promising plant extracts, propagation protocols and definition of in planta studies to maximize product yield of plant species producing active compounds have to be performed to provide a continuing supply of bioactive materials. Chemical characterization of natural compounds, determination of mode of action by kinetics and other spectroscopic methods (MS, X-ray, NMR), as well as in vitro and in vivo biological assays, chemical derivatization, and structure-activity relationships have to be carried out to provide a thorough knowledge on which to base the search for natural compounds or their derivatives with biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Augusto Basso
- Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brasil.
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712
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Abstract
Current research in drug discovery from medicinal plants involves a multifaceted approach combining botanical, phytochemical, biological, and molecular techniques. Medicinal plant drug discovery continues to provide new and important leads against various pharmacological targets including cancer, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's, malaria, and pain. Several natural product drugs of plant origin have either recently been introduced to the United States market, including arteether, galantamine, nitisinone, and tiotropium, or are currently involved in late-phase clinical trials. As part of our National Cooperative Drug Discovery Group (NCDDG) research project, numerous compounds from tropical rainforest plant species with potential anticancer activity have been identified. Our group has also isolated several compounds, mainly from edible plant species or plants used as dietary supplements, that may act as chemopreventive agents. Although drug discovery from medicinal plants continues to provide an important source of new drug leads, numerous challenges are encountered including the procurement of plant materials, the selection and implementation of appropriate high-throughput screening bioassays, and the scale-up of active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcy J Balunas
- Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, 833 South Wood Street, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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713
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Hanessian S, Kothakonda KK. 3-N,N-Dimethylamino-3-deoxy lincomycin: A structure-based hybrid between lincomycin and the desosamine unit of erythromycin. Bioorg Med Chem 2005; 13:5283-8. [PMID: 15994084 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2005.05.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2005] [Revised: 05/27/2005] [Accepted: 05/31/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The observation that the desosamine sugar unit in erythromycin and the methyl thiolincosaminide portion of lincomycin occupy virtually identical sites on the 23S rRNA according to X-ray crystallograpaic data, instigated the synthesis of 3-N,N-dimethylamino-3-deoxy lincomycin as a hybrid structure. The synthesis in eight steps from lincomycin, involving a trans-diequatorial opening of an intermediate epoxide as the key step, is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Hanessian
- PO Box 6128, Department of Chemistry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7.
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714
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Abstract
Recent research has identified the clusters of bacterial genes responsible for the synthesis of some natural products with promising anticancer activity, making it possible for these molecules to be synthesized in easily cultured bacteria. The availability of some natural products with promising anticancer activity has been limited because they are synthesized by symbiotic bacteria associated with specific animals. Recent research has identified the clusters of bacterial genes responsible for their synthesis, so that the molecules can be synthesized in alternative, easily cultured bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Clardy
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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715
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Langenhan JM, Peters NR, Guzei IA, Hoffmann FM, Thorson JS. Enhancing the anticancer properties of cardiac glycosides by neoglycorandomization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:12305-10. [PMID: 16105948 PMCID: PMC1194917 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0503270102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylated natural products are reliable platforms for the development of many front-line drugs, yet our understanding of the relationship between attached sugars and biological activity is limited by the availability of convenient glycosylation methods. When a universal chemical glycosylation method that employs reducing sugars and requires no protection or activation is used, the glycorandomization of digitoxin leads to analogs that display significantly enhanced potency and tumor specificity and suggests a divergent mechanistic relationship between cardiac glycoside-induced cytotoxicity and Na+/K+-ATPase inhibition. This report highlights the remarkable advantages of glycorandomization as a powerful tool in glycobiology and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Langenhan
- Laboratory for Biosynthetic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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716
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Calixto JB. Twenty-five years of research on medicinal plants in Latin America: a personal view. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2005; 100:131-4. [PMID: 16006081 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In this short article, I have discussed (on the base of the Web of Science data base search), the expressive progress of Latin American scientific production in peer review journals in the field of plants over the last 25 years. In addition, some effort has been made towards discussing the relevance of medicinal plants for the development of standardized phytomedicines with proof of quality, safety and efficacy, and a few examples of success have been briefly mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- João B Calixto
- Department of Pharmacology, Centre of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88049-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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717
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Zhao F, Zhao Q, Blount KF, Han Q, Tor Y, Hermann T. Molecular Recognition of RNA by Neomycin and a Restricted Neomycin Derivative. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2005. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.200500903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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718
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Shang S, Tan DS. Advancing chemistry and biology through diversity-oriented synthesis of natural product-like libraries. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2005; 9:248-58. [PMID: 15939326 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2005.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2005] [Accepted: 03/30/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural products provide the inspiration for a variety of strategies used in the diversity-oriented synthesis of novel small-molecule libraries. These libraries can be based on core scaffolds from individual natural products, specific substructures found across a class of natural products, or general structural characteristics of natural products. An increasing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of these strategies for identifying new biologically active molecules. Moreover, these efforts have led to significant advances in synthetic organic chemistry. Larger-scale evaluation of these approaches is on the horizon, using screening data that will be made publicly available in the new PubChem database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiying Shang
- Pharmacology Program, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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719
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Abstract
Chemical biologists studying natural-product pathways encoded in genomes have unearthed new chemistry and insights into the evolution of biologically active metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Walsh
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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720
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Abstract
Genome sequencing projects have provided researchers with an unprecedented boon of molecular information that promises to revolutionize our understanding of life and lead to new treatments of its disorders. However, genome sequences alone offer only limited insights into the biochemical pathways that determine cell and tissue function. These complex metabolic and signaling networks are largely mediated by proteins. The vast number of uncharacterized proteins found in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems suggests that our knowledge of cellular biochemistry is far from complete. Here, we highlight a new breed of 'postgenomic' methods that aim to assign functions to proteins through the integrated application of chemical and biological techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Saghatelian
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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721
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Won J, Kim M, Yi YW, Kim YH, Jung N, Kim TK. A magnetic nanoprobe technology for detecting molecular interactions in live cells. Science 2005; 309:121-5. [PMID: 15994554 DOI: 10.1126/science.1112869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Technologies to assess the molecular targets of biomolecules in living cells are lacking. We have developed a technology called magnetism-based interaction capture (MAGIC) that identifies molecular targets on the basis of induced movement of superparamagnetic nanoparticles inside living cells. Efficient intracellular uptake of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (coated with a small molecule of interest) was mediated by a transducible fusogenic peptide. These nanoprobes captured the small molecule's labeled target protein and were translocated in a direction specified by the magnetic field. Use of MAGIC in genome-wide expression screening identified multiple protein targets of a drug. MAGIC was also used to monitor signal-dependent modification and multiple interactions of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaejoon Won
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
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722
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Abstract
Small molecules have critical roles at all levels of biological complexity and yet remain orphans of the central dogma. Chemical biologists, working with small molecules, expand our understanding of these central elements of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart L Schreiber
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
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723
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Messer R, Fuhrer CA, Häner R. Natural product-like libraries based on non-aromatic, polycyclic motifs. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2005; 9:259-65. [PMID: 15939327 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2005.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2004] [Accepted: 04/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Diversity-oriented synthesis is an intriguing approach for creating structurally diverse compounds that cover the pharmaceutically relevant chemical space in an optimal way. On the other hand, an over-proportionally large number of drugs or lead structures originate from compounds isolated from natural sources. Thus, not surprisingly, an increasing number of combinatorial libraries are based on motifs resembling natural products. A particular aspect of many natural products is the presence of non-aromatic, polycyclic core structures. The fusion of several rings leads to geometrically well-defined structures and, thus, holds the promise of a high functional specialisation. In this review we present several actual examples of natural product-like libraries with non-aromatic polycyclic motifs based on naturally occurring compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Messer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
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724
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Barnes S, Prasain J. Current progress in the use of traditional medicines and nutraceuticals. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2005; 8:324-328. [PMID: 15860430 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2005.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Traditional medicines in the form of botanical dietary supplements and nutraceuticals have found a place in 21st century healthcare. They nonetheless all contain compounds that are foreign to humans (i.e. xenobiotics) and that are subject to the same pharmacological issues encountered by synthetic therapeutic agents. It is crucial therefore for all parties, the medical profession, investigative scientists, the regulatory agencies and the public, to understand the particular characteristics of botanicals and nutraceuticals and their potential for success and failure in preventing and confronting disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Barnes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, McCallum Research Building, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.
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725
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Haggarty SJ. The principle of complementarity: chemical versus biological space. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2005; 9:296-303. [PMID: 15939332 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2005.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2005] [Accepted: 04/15/2005] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemical genomics aims to systematically explore the interactions between small molecules and biological systems. These efforts aim to annotate genomes using the language of chemistry, and to provide information-rich profiles of chemical and biological systems. Here, I describe recent conceptual and experimental advances toward the goal of mapping multidimensional chemical and biological descriptor spaces. In doing so, I will focus on the complementary nature of these efforts, the importance of recognizing the distinction between computed versus observed descriptors, and highlight recent 'landmark' examples of small molecules discovered using phenotypic screens. Future computation and experimental advances will be needed to fully realize the goals of chemical genomics. For those willing to consider both local and global properties of chemical and biological space, and to venture into uncharted territory, there promises to be new vistas and principles to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Haggarty
- Eli & Edythe L Broad Institute, 320 Charles Street, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA.
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726
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Abstract
A major challenge in biology is the discovery of the processes controlled by the roughly one-third of genes with no known function. One approach being explored to address this problem is the use of small molecules in conjunction with genetics-chemical genetics. A short review of this field is provided as an introduction to a series of papers in this issue of Cell in which a new type of chemical genetics revealed the function of a new outer membrane protein complex in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevan M Shokat
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.
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