receptor-ligand model systems

David J Detlefsen (detlefsd@bms.com)
Thu, 01 Apr 1999 09:31:20 -0500

Hello,

I'd like to toss out a question to the group. Can anyone recommend a
model system for receptor-ligand binding?

Here are the criteria for the ideal system:
1. commercially available
2. ligand = small molecule (like a drug) & receptor = protein
3. complexation is reversible & no covalent attachment
4. complex affinity in the mM to sub uM range
5. a range of ligands with different affinities

Obvious things that come to mind are proteases but there are precious
few (at least that I can find) protease inhibitors that meet the above
criteria. Also, I'm looking at lysozyme interacting with tri-NAG. This
seems like a great system but I can't find a source for tri-NAG (and I
don't know if there are similar ligands with lesser affinity).

Any help/comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Dave Detlefsen
Bristol-Myers Squibb