Affiliation:
1. Anna University, India
Abstract
Target identification has been considered as a chief parameter in drug discovery as it fully characterizes on-target and off-target effects of drug binding. Cell signaling receptors, structural proteins, and post-translational modifications of histones by histone deacetylases are the most widespread targets that are progressively being explored. The FDA approved histone deacetylases inhibitors and the majority of HDACi in and out of clinical trials based on the activities of 11 isoforms of the enzyme in non-selective influence approach. Unfortunately, reported HDACi does not possess a high degree of structural specificity and ultimately lessens the therapeutic index with many dose limiting toxicities. This chapter illustrates how different approaches are incorporated into the novel inhibitors discovery that are truly isoform-selective and which are specifically involved in targeting only a particular isozyme. Further, it highlights the aspects relating to provide a wider therapeutic index with an improved toxicity profile of lead like epigenetic modulators.