Protein-protein interactions are involved in numerous cellular processes or dysfunctions, making them, in theory, prime therapeutic targets (between 100,000 and 600,000 interactions in humans, not counting interactions with proteins from microorganisms...). However, the design of small, orally absorbable chemical molecules capable of modulating this type of interaction remains difficult, and requires the implementation of specific tools and the development of innovative concepts.
Recent successes have made it possible to characterize certain structural properties of protein-protein interfaces, suggesting the possibility of modulation by small non-peptide chemical molecules, as well as the definition of a characteristic profile for these compounds. In this presentation, we will review some general concepts and discuss the new bio- and chemoinformatics strategies currently being implemented to facilitate the development of bioactive molecules specific to these innovative targets.
