The Application of FAST-NMR for the Identification of Novel Drug Discovery Targets

Authors

Robert Powers, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kelly A. Mercier, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Jennifer C. Copeland, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2008

Citation

Drug Discov Today. 2008 February ; 13(3-4): 172–179. doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2007.11.001.

Comments

© 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract

The continued success of genome sequencing projects has resulted in a wealth of information, but 40-50% of identified genes correspond to hypothetical proteins or proteins of unknown function. The Functional Annotation Screening Technology by NMR (FAST-NMR) screen was developed to assign a biological function for these unannotated proteins with a structure solved by the Protein Structure Initiative. FAST-NMR is based on the premise that a biological function can be described by a similarity in binding sites and ligand interactions with proteins of known function. The resulting co-structure and functional assignment may provide a starting point for a drug discovery effort.