Chemical genetics: tailoring tools for cell biology.
Chemical genetics is a research approach that uses small molecules as probes to study protein functions in cells or whole organisms. Here, I review the parallels between classical genetic and chemical-genetic approaches and discuss the merits of small molecules to dissect dynamic cellular processes. I then consider the pros and cons of different screening approaches and specify strategies aimed at identifying and validating cellular target proteins. Finally, I highlight the impact of chemical genetics on our current understanding of cell biology and its potential for the future.
Mayer
Thomas U
TU
Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Am Klopfersitz 18a, D-82152 Martinsried, Germany. mayer@biochem.mpg.de
D000818:Animals; D001695:Biology / Q000379:methods*; D003585:Cell Biology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D005823:Genetics; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008967:Molecular Biology; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D011506:Proteins
D011506:Proteins