title: Small-molecule inhibitors of myosin proteins.
abstract: Advances in screening and computational methods have enhanced recent efforts to discover/design small-molecule protein inhibitors. One attractive target for inhibition is the myosin family of motor proteins. Myosins function in a wide variety of cellular processes, from intracellular trafficking to cell motility, and are implicated in several human diseases (e.g., cancer, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, deafness and many neurological disorders). Potent and selective myosin inhibitors are, therefore, not only a tool for understanding myosin function, but are also a resource for developing treatments for diseases involving myosin dysfunction or overactivity. This review will provide a brief overview of the characteristics and scientific/therapeutic applications of the presently identified small-molecule myosin inhibitors before discussing the future of myosin inhibitor and activator design.
authors.affiliation: Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Tumbarello
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kendrick-Jones
authors.forename: Folma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D055808:Drug Discovery; D006801:Humans; D009218:Myosins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries
chemical_list: D054852:Small Molecule Libraries; D009218:Myosins