Molecules with thiol or amine groups

The term Molecules with thiol or amine groups refers to a broad chemical classification rather than a specific biological target or receptor. Thiols, characterized by a sulfhydryl (-SH) group, are essential for maintaining cellular redox balance through molecules like glutathione and for stabilizing protein structures via disulfide bridges (Cremers & Jakob, 2013). Amines, containing nitrogen-based functional groups (-NH2, -NHR, or -NR2), are ubiquitous building blocks found in all amino acids, nucleic acids, and biogenic neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine (StatPearls, 2023). In pharmacology, these groups are significant because they act as nucleophilic sites that can react with electrophilic drug compounds, such as covalent inhibitors or platinum-based chemotherapeutics (Baillie, 2016). Because these functional groups are present in nearly every protein and metabolite within the human body, they do not represent a discrete therapeutic target. Instead, they are reactive sites that require careful consideration in drug design to avoid widespread off-target effects and potential toxicity (Popovic et al., 2015).

Other names

Thiol-containing compoundsAmine-containing compoundsSulfhydryl and amino groupsNucleophilic biomolecules

Drugs typically interact with these groups through covalent bonding (alkylation or acylation), coordination complex formation with metal ions, or redox reactions involving the exchange of electrons (Singh et al., 2011).