Question

Explain the term target molecules or drug targets as used in medicinal chemistry.

Answer 1

In medicinal chemistry, drug targets refer to the key molecules involved in certain metabolic pathways that result in specific diseases. Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids are examples of drug targets.

Drugs are chemical agents designed to inhibit these target molecules by binding with the active sites of the key molecules.

Answer 2

Drugs interact with macromolecules like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids thus these macro molecules are called drug targets. These macromolecules perform various functions in the body for example, proteins perform several roles in the body. Proteins which act as biological catalysts are called enzymes, those which are involved in communication system are called receptors. Carrier proteins carry polar molecules across the cell membrane. Nucleic acids have coded genetic information in the cell whereas lipids and carbohydrates form structural part of cell membranes.