Disruption of protein–protein interactions: Towards new targets for chemotherapy

Protein–protein interactions play a key role in various mechanisms of cellular growth and differentiation, and in the replication of pathogen organisms in host cells. Thus, inhibition of these interactions is a promising novel approach for rational drug design against a wide number of cellular and microbial targets. In the past few years, attempts to inhibit protein–protein interactions using antibodies, peptides, and synthetic or natural small molecules have met with varying degrees of success, and these will be the focus of this review. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.