ABSTRACT
Noncovalent interactions play an essential role in a vast number of chemical and biological processes. Recognition and selectivity are achieved through noncovalent contacts between nearly all the biopolymers (proteins, DNA, RNA, polysaccharides, and membrane lipids) that are present in living organisms. The formation and dissociation of these weak interactions are crucial in a vast number of biochemical events. For example, glycosidases have developed speci cally adjusted active sites optimally con gured for transition-state stabilization through noncovalent interactions.1 Weak interactions between nucleases and DNA or RNA are central to recombination, repair, and replication of
these molecules in cells.2 Protein-protein, protein-DNA, protein-ligand, and antibodies-antigens interactions are other examples that involve noncovalent interactions,3,4 which are also of fundamental importance for the pharmaceutical industry, in the evaluation of potential drug candidates.
