Cited by 767Protein Structure and DynamicsComputational Drug Discovery MethodsProtein Interaction Studies and Fluorescence Analysis

Unraveling hot spots in binding interfaces: progress and challenges

DeLano, Warren L·2002·Current Opinion in Structural Biology

Abstract

Protein interface hot spots, as revealed by alanine scanning mutagenesis, continue to stimulate interest in the biophysical basis of molecular recognition. Although these regions apparently constitute fertile grounds for intermolecular interactions, no general algorithm has yet been developed that can predict hot spots based solely on their shape or composition. The discovery of structural plasticity in hot spot regions indicates that dynamic simulation techniques may be essential for achieving a predictive understanding of binding interface energetics. Future progress will depend as much on the application of new computational approaches for dissecting protein interfaces as on expanding our empirical databank of mutagenic substitutions and their effects. Despite our current theoretical shortcomings, recent methodological advances provide efficient experimental means of probing hot spots and enable immediate applications for hot spots in drug discovery.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0959-440x(02)00283-x

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Authors
DeLano, W. L.
Affiliations
Sunesis (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
DeLano, Warren L
Venue
Current Opinion in Structural Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2002-02
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
14-20
ISSN
0959-440X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2026370952
Cited by
767
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 62
FWCI
2.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Structural Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Structure and Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computational Theory and Mathematics › Computational Drug Discovery Methods
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Interaction Studies and Fluorescence Analysis
Keywords
protein-protein interfaces, alanine scanning, hot spot prediction, structural plasticity, molecular recognition, drug discovery
MeSH terms
Alanine, Binding Sites, Drug Therapy, Humans, Models, Molecular, Protein Binding, Thermodynamics

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