Protein Ligand Interactions Structure And Spectroscopy

This text on protein-ligand interactions offers a selection of the most useful and easily applied methods and acts as a guide to the principal techniques used.

A readily reproducible collection of established and emerging techniques for studying the interaction between proteins and ligands, including biochemical/bulk techniques, structure analysis, spectroscopy, single-molecule studies, and theoretical/computational tools. Among the highlights are surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and reflectometric biosensor approaches, high-throughput screening with confocal optics microscopy, single molecule fluorescence and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), crystallography of reaction intermediates, and time-resolved x-ray crystallography. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

The lock-and-key principle formulated by Emil Fischer as early as the end of the 19th century has still not lost any of its significance for the life sciences. The basic aspects of ligand-protein interaction may be summarized under the term 'molecular recognition' and concern the specificity as well as stability of ligand binding. Molecular recognition is thus a central topic in the development of active substances, since stability and specificity determine whether a substance can be used as a drug. Nowadays, computer-aided prediction and intelligent molecular design make a large contribution to the constant search for, e. g., improved enzyme inhibitors, and new concepts such as that of pharmacophores are being developed. An up-to-date presentation of an eternally young topic, this book is an indispensable information source for chemists, biochemists and pharmacologists dealing with the binding of ligands to proteins.

Innovative and forward-looking, this volume focuses on recent achievements in this rapidly progressing field and looks at future potential for development. The first part provides a basic understanding of the factors governing protein-ligand interactions, followed by a comparison of key experimental methods (calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance, NMR) used in generating interaction data. The second half of the book is devoted to insilico methods of modeling and predicting molecular recognition and binding, ranging from first principles-based to approximate ones. Here, as elsewhere in the book, emphasis is placed on novel approaches and recent improvements to established methods. The final part looks at unresolved challenges, and the strategies to address them. With the content relevant for all drug classes and therapeutic fields, this is an inspiring and often-consulted guide to the complexity of protein-ligand interaction modeling and analysis for both novices and experts.

Protein-ligand interactions play a fundamental role in most major biological functions. The number and diversity of small molecules that interact with proteins, whether naturally or not, can quickly become overwhelming. They are as essential as amino acids, nucleic acids or membrane lipids, enabling a large number of essential functions. One need only think of carbohydrates or even just ATP to be certain. They are also essential in drug discovery. With the increasing structural information of proteins and protein-ligand complexes, molecular modelling, molecular dynamics, and chemoinformatics approaches are often required for the efficient analysis of a large number of such complexes and to provide insights. Similarly, numerous computational approaches have been developed to characterize and use the knowledge of such interactions, which can lead to drug candidates. "Recent Developments on Protein-Ligand Interactions: From Structure, Function to Applications" was dedicated to the different aspect of protein-ligand analysis and/or prediction using computational approaches, as well as new developments dedicated to these tasks. It will interest both specialists and non-specialists, as the presented studies cover a very large spectra in terms of methodologies and applications. It underlined the variety of scientific area linked to these questions, i.e., chemistry, biology, physics, informatics, bioinformatics, structural bioinformatics and chemoinformatics.

The two Practical Approach volumes provide a selection of the most useful and easily applied methods and will be an invaluable guide to the principle techniques used to study the interactions of proteins and ligands. The first volume covers the principal hydrodynamic and calorimetric techniques for studying protein-ligand interactions. The second volume covers all the principal spectroscopic and structural methods for investigating protein-ligand interactions.