Similarities in Protein Binding Sites

Modular Approaches to Drug Design............................................................ 20 2.8 Future Prospects............................................................................................. 21 References................................................................................................................ 22

Each protein is unique. Each has a unique primary sequence, folds into a unique tertiary structure, and carries out a unique set of functions. Despite each protein’s uniqueness, there are commonalities that can be observed across even the most diverse set of proteins. The conserved aspects of protein structure and function have generated fundamental insights, some of which may have important implications for drug discovery. We are particularly interested in the features that are conserved in protein binding sites because they can have implications for the development of novel techniques in drug design.