Fragment-based screening using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy

Approaches which start from a study of the interaction of very simple molecules (fragments) with the protein target are proving to be valuable additions to drug design. Fragment-based screening allows the complementarity between a protein active site and drug-like molecules to be rapidly and effectively explored, using structural methods. Recent improvements in the intensities of laboratory X-ray sources permits the collection of greater amounts of high-quality diffraction data and have been matched by developments in automation, crystallisation and data analysis. Developments in NMR screening, including the use of cryogenically cooled NMR probes and F-19-containing reporter molecules have expanded the scope of this technique, while increasing the availability of binding site and quantitative affinity data for the fragments. Application of these methods has led to a greater knowledge of the chemical variety, structural features and energetics of protein-fragment interactions. While fragment-based screening has already been shown to reduce the timescales of the drug discovery process, a more detailed characterisation of fragment screening hits can reveal unexpected similarities between fragment chemotypes and protein active sites leading to improved understanding of the pharmacophores and the reuse of this information against other protein targets.