title: Hybolites Revisited.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hyperstructures are large assemblies of molecules and macromolecules that perform functions such as metabolism (including RNA and protein synthesis and degradation), transport, DNA replication, cell division, signalling and chemotaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Such hyperstructures might be manipulated by hybrid metabolites or hybolites made by a pairwise, covalently linked combination of the thousands of small molecules involved in metabolism and signalling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here, we review recent evidence for hyperstructures in prokaryotes and for interactions between hyperstructures as a determinant of the phenotype. We also mention extending hybolite therapy to eukaryotes, consider new designs for hybolites, and discuss relevant patents.
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Biology Unit, EA 4312, Faculty of Science, University of Rouen, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan Cedex - France. victor.norris@univ-rouen.fr.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Cecile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verrier
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feuilloley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D015394:Molecular Structure; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014774:Virulence / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D046911:Macromolecular Substances