Modern computational chemistry and drug discovery: structure generating programs

During 1996 and 1997, the first reports were disclosed of active enzyme inhibitors based entirely on novel structures created by de novo methods. De novo methods have also been used to modify and significantly improve the binding affinity of an HIV protease inhibitor. Work continues in the improvement of methods for the de novo design of compounds which fit and chemically complement a binding site. De novo algorithms that generate only synthetically feasible structures have also been reported. In addition, methods are being developed for the automatic computer generation of virtual molecular libraries which can be searched to identify molecules to match a pharmacophore or fit into a binding site. (C) Current Biology Ltd ISSN 1367-5931.