Artificial synthetic receptors as regulators of protein activity.

This article discusses most recent work and progress in the direction of a rational design of small molecule receptors that efficiently interfere with the biological function of a particular receptor or enzyme-some of which are therapeutically relevant. More specifically, the following topics are highlighted here: the inhibition of voltage-dependent potassium channels of the K(v)1.x family by designed porphyrin and calix[4]arene ligands, the structural and functional recovery of the tetramerization domain of mutated P53 protein by tailored calix[4]arene ligands and the control over LDH activity by supramolecular signaling. Finally a new way to modulate NAD(+)-dependent enzymatic activities by molecular clips and tweezers is presented.

© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011