Enzymes play a vital role in various biological processes and have emerged as promising drug targets. Targeting enzymes offers opportunities for therapeutic intervention in numerous diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases. This review highlights recent advances and future perspectives in targeting enzymes as drug targets. The study begins by discussing the rationale behind targeting enzymes and the advantages they offer as drug targets. Enzymes are involved in key biochemical pathways and exhibit unique catalytic activities, making them attractive targets for modulating disease-associated processes. The development of selective enzyme inhibitors can disrupt aberrant enzymatic activities and restore normal cellular functions. Next, the review explores recent advances in the discovery and development of enzyme inhibitors. It covers innovative strategies such as structure-based drug design, virtual screening, high-throughput screening, and fragment-based approaches. These techniques facilitate the identification and optimization of small molecules that selectively inhibit enzyme activity, providing opportunities for therapeutic intervention. The review also emphasizes the importance of understanding enzyme function, regulation, and catalytic mechanisms in effective drug targeting. Detailed knowledge of enzyme structure, active site architecture, and substrate binding interactions enables the design of inhibitors with high affinity and specificity. The study of enzyme kinetics and dynamics further aids in elucidating the optimal strategies for modulating enzyme activity. Furthermore, the review explores the application of targeted enzyme inhibition in specific disease contexts. Examples include the targeting of kinases in cancer therapy, proteases in viral infections, and metabolic enzymes in metabolic disorders. It discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with targeting enzymes in these disease areas, such as drug resistance, off-target effects, and personalized medicine approaches. Finally, the review provides insights into future perspectives and emerging trends in targeting enzymes as drug targets. It discusses the integration of multi-targeted approaches, combination therapies, and the utilization of emerging technologies such as gene editing and RNA-based therapeutics. The advent of new drug discovery platforms and computational tools also holds promise for accelerating the identification and optimization of enzyme inhibitors. In conclusion, targeting enzymes as drug targets has witnessed significant progress in recent years. Advances in understanding enzyme biology, coupled with innovative drug discovery approaches, have paved the way for the development of effective therapeutic interventions. The ongoing exploration of enzyme targeting, along with emerging technologies, promises to open new avenues for the treatment of various diseases and improve patient outcomes.
KeywordsEnzymes; Drug targets; Therapeutic intervention; Cancer therapy; Metabolic disorders
Published Date: 2023-06-30; Received Date: 2023-06-01
