Host molecular target

The term "Host molecular target" is a generic classification used in pharmacology and microbiology to describe any endogenous molecule within a host organism—typically a human—that is utilized by a pathogen for its life cycle or targeted by a drug to modulate a physiological process. In the context of infectious diseases, host targets are often proteins such as receptors (e.g., ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2) or enzymes that a virus or bacterium hijacks to enter cells or replicate. In broader drug discovery, it refers to the specific protein, nucleic acid, or other biomolecule that a therapeutic agent binds to in order to produce a clinical effect. Because this term represents a broad category rather than a specific, unique molecular entity, it cannot be assigned specific biological functions, disease roles, or interacting drugs without further clarification of the specific molecule intended.

Other names

Host targetHost factor

Not applicable as this is a generic category rather than a specific molecular entity.