Studying the Function of Proteins Using Chemical Probes with Unknown Polypharmacology

Studying the Function of Proteins Using Chemical Probes with Unknown Polypharmacology 

One of the main goals in chemical biology is to develop bioactive small molecules (also referred to as chemical probes, chemical tool compounds, or standard inhibitors) to interrogate and study the effects of biomolecules (generally proteins) in biological processes or disease models [1-3]. Chemical probes are thus essential to complement more invasive techniques that eliminate the target of the 

Chemical Probe. Small molecule used to study the function of a certain protein. Synonyms standard inhibitor, chemical tool compound. 

Protein Target.The protein at which the small molecule is mainly directed and to which it was often designed for high affinity. 

Polypharmacology. The binding of a small molecule to multiple proteins. 

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