organic cyclic compound binding

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Binding to an organic cyclic compound, any molecular entity that contains carbon arranged in a cyclic molecular structure. [GOC:sjw, PMID:7583672]

Organic cyclic compound binding refers to the interaction of a molecule with a cyclic organic compound. Cyclic organic compounds are molecules that contain a closed ring structure, formed by three or more atoms, often including carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur. These interactions are essential for various biological processes, including:
1. **Signal Transduction:** Cyclic compounds like cyclic nucleotides (cAMP, cGMP) act as second messengers, relaying signals from receptors to downstream effector proteins. They bind to specific proteins, altering their activity and mediating cellular responses.
2. **Enzyme Catalysis:** Many enzymes require the binding of specific cyclic compounds as cofactors or substrates. For instance, NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide), which are important electron carriers in metabolism, have cyclic structures.
3. **DNA and RNA Binding:** Cyclic compounds like purines and pyrimidines are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. These molecules form specific interactions with each other, stabilizing the double helix structure of DNA and RNA.
4. **Drug Targeting:** Many pharmaceuticals exploit the ability of cyclic compounds to bind to specific targets within the body. For example, antibiotics like penicillin target bacterial enzymes involved in cell wall synthesis, and anti-cancer drugs like cisplatin bind to DNA, inhibiting cell division.
5. **Cellular Structure:** Cyclic compounds contribute to the structure and stability of membranes and other cellular components. For example, phospholipids, which form the cell membrane, contain cyclic structures.
The binding of cyclic compounds can occur through various non-covalent interactions, including hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic interactions. The specific interactions and binding affinity depend on the chemical structure of the compound and the binding site on the target molecule. These interactions are often highly specific, enabling the recognition and regulation of specific biological processes.'
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Proteins (3)

Compounds (33)