Issue 53, 2017

Elucidating drug targets and mechanisms of action by genetic screens in mammalian cells

Abstract

Phenotypic screening is a powerful approach to discover small molecules with desired effects on biological systems, which can then be developed into therapeutic drugs. The identification of the target and mechanism of action of compounds discovered in phenotypic screens remains a major challenge. This feature article describes the use of genetic tools to reveal drug targets and mechanisms in mammalian cells. Until recently, RNA interference was the method of choice for such studies. Here, we highlight very recent additions to the genetic toolkit in mammalian cells, including CRISPR, CRISPR interference, and CRISPR activation, and illustrate their usefulness for drug target identification.

Graphical abstract: Elucidating drug targets and mechanisms of action by genetic screens in mammalian cells

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
27 mar 2017
Accepted
02 máj 2017
First published
02 máj 2017

Chem. Commun., 2017,53, 7162-7167

Elucidating drug targets and mechanisms of action by genetic screens in mammalian cells

M. Kampmann, Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 7162 DOI: 10.1039/C7CC02349A

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