Enzymes and structural proteins

Enzymes and structural proteins are broad categories of biological macromolecules that perform essential roles in cellular function and are frequent targets for drug development. Enzymes are specialized proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions, facilitating everything from DNA replication to nutrient metabolism; they are often targeted by small molecule inhibitors to block pathological pathways (StatPearls, 2023). Structural proteins provide the necessary physical framework and mechanical support for cells and tissues, including components of the cytoskeleton like tubulin and extracellular matrix proteins like collagen (NCBI, 2022). In pharmacology, these two groups are often distinguished from receptors and ion channels because their primary function is catalytic or mechanical rather than purely signal-transmissive (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2017). Because this term refers to a vast collection of diverse proteins rather than a single molecular entity, it is considered a functional classification rather than a specific therapeutic target.

Other names

EnzymesStructural proteinsBiocatalystsCytoskeletal proteinsFibrous proteinsGlobular proteins

Drugs targeting enzymes typically function through competitive or non-competitive inhibition of catalytic activity, while those targeting structural proteins often modulate polymer assembly or stability.