Immunosuppressive Small Molecule Discovered by Structure‐Based Virtual Screening for Inhibitors of Protein–Protein Interactions

Abstract

Interfering with interferon: A low-molecular-weight inhibitor has been discovered that blocks the interaction between interferon-α (IFN-α) and its receptor (see picture for a model of the interfaces). The resulting lead compound significantly reduces IFN-α production in vitro. NMR and SPR experiments confirm the direct interaction of the inhibitor with IFN-α.