Modulating disease-relevant protein-protein interactions (PPIs) using small-molecule inhibitors is a quite indispensable diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in averting pathophysiological cues and disease progression. Over the years, targeting intracellular PPIs as drug design targets has been a challenging task owing to their highly dynamic and expansive interfacial areas (flat, featureless and relatively large). However, advances in PPI-focused drug discovery technology have been reported and a few drugs are already on the market, with some potential drug-like candidates already in clinical trials. In this article, we review the advances, successes and remaining challenges in the application of small molecules as valuable PPI modulators in disease diagnosis and therapeutics.

Protein-protein interactions (PPI) are vital in modulating biochemical pathways in many biological processes. Inhibiting PPI is a tremendously important diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in averting pathophysiological cues and disease progression. Targeting PPI as a smart drug discovery tool has been largely overlooked over the years due to their highly dynamic and expansive interfacial areas. However in recent years, researchers have developed new technologies that have the potential to move this approach up the technology development curve and enable the regular discovery of PPI-focused smart drugs. Few drugs are already on the market and some potential drug-like candidates are in clinical trials. In this study we review the application of peptidomimetics as a valuable tool in PPI inhibition in cancer. First, we describe PPI and the general properties of the PPI interface. Next, we discuss the classification of peptidomimetics. Lastly, we focus on the application of peptidomimetics on targeted PPI in cancer pathways.

Bananas (Musa spp. L.) are grouped on the basis of their genomic origins in relation to Musa acuminata (A genome) and M. balbisiana (B genome). The two ancestral wild seeded diploid species evolved in vastly different geographical areas and contributed several agronomic traits towards the present genetic composition of cultivated bananas. Most cultivated bananas are triploid (AAA, AAB and ABB), some are diploid (AA, BB and AB) and a few are tetraploids (AAAA, AAAB, AABB and ABBB). Limitations on the correct identification of the A and B genomes in Musa have generated need for the development of new and more reliable techniques. Distinguishing the A and the B genome remains practically and theoretically important for banana breeders. The aim of the research was to develop a DNA based A genome specific marker for the identification of the A genome in bananas. A putative marker (600 bp) specific to the A genome was identified by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. A sequence characterised amplified region (SCAR) marker was developed from the RAPD amplicon. The SCAR primers annealed a 500 bp fragment specific to the A genome in a sample of 22 randomly selected homo-and heterogenomic A genome containing accessions representing different genome combinations. The 500 bp SCAR marker is useful for the identification of the A genome. However an additional 700 bp fragment annealed in all M. balbisiana genotypes and in five of the eight heterogenomic accessions, suggesting lack of differentiation between the A and B genome. This study has provided a 500 bp A genome SCAR marker and recent evidence that the A and B genomes of banana may not be as differentiated as previously considered.

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