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netLibrary - eBook Summary Structure-based Drug Design by ...

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<strong>Structure</strong>/function studies can take a variety of forms and use a number of techniques including the use<br />

of molecular biology, synthetic peptides, and antibodies, or combinations of these methods. Molecular<br />

biology is a powerful tool for structure/function analysis. Mutagenesis of cDNAs to produce mutant<br />

proteins with point mutations, truncations, or deletions can identify functional sites. One drawback to<br />

this approach, especially with large proteins, is the proverbial “needle in a haystack” problem. One has<br />

difficulty determining where to begin placing mutations. The synthetic peptide approach can be equally<br />

as powerful. One can synthesize individual domains or segments of proteins and test them for agonist or<br />

antagonist activities there<strong>by</strong> identifying functional domains. Synthetic peptides can be used to map the<br />

epitope specificity of antibodies that block the activity of a protein. Peptides can also be used to produce<br />

monospecific antisera to a defined region of a protein. The antibody approach has also proved quite<br />

useful in determining functional sites of<br />

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