ABSTRACT
Further Readings ..............................................................................................................................26
Molecular recognition is a basic feature of virtually all biological phenomena. In the case of ligandprotein binding it can be described as the ability of a ligand and a protein (an enzyme or a receptor) to form a “noncovalent” complex. Covalent binding between a ligand and a protein occurs, but is much less common and a discussion of such binding is outside the scope of this chapter. An understanding of the basic principles of molecular recognition is essential for students as well as practitioners of medicinal chemistry. It provides an ability to interpret experimental ligand-binding data and gives an understanding of structure-activity relationships in terms of physical forces acting in the ligand-protein binding process. Such an understanding is a prerequisite for the rational design of new ligands-new potential drug molecules.
