Question

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

Answer 1

Hint: Target molecules or drug targets are important molecules in the body which are essential for carrying out metabolic activities in the living body.


Complete step by step solution:
Our body consists of certain elementary molecules which are essential for smoothly carrying out its metabolic activities. Generally, these molecules consist of carbohydrates, proteins and certain nucleic acids. Now these molecules are helpful in various chemical reactions in the body since they have active groups attached to their molecules. Whenever we are sick, which is usually an occurrence of unusual biological activity, these molecules, due to their chemical nature, are also responsible for the growth of these illnesses. Therefore, by definition, to inhibit the growth of the sickness these molecules are considered as target molecules or in other words, targets for the drugs which are designed to react with the active ends of the molecules and curb their reactivity.

For example, carbohydrates are responsible for various metabolic pathways and if these metabolic activities are compromised then result in many diseases. Lactose intolerance is one common allergy, because of lack of lactase. These enzymes are responsible to convert milk sugars to glucose/ energy. Medicines will have to target these carbohydrates which are responsible for reducing the production of these enzymes.

Note: Generally, the naming conventions are literal. With common sense we can readily describe the nature of these molecules. But it is interesting to note that living bodies are made of units which further comprise molecules with active ends responsible for carrying out chemical activities.