Protein–protein interface (PPI interface)

A protein–protein interface is the specific surface region where two protein molecules come into direct contact and interact via non-covalent forces such as hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic forces. These interfaces are essential to virtually all cellular processes, enabling the formation of protein complexes involved in signaling, structural assembly, enzymatic regulation, and more. Unlike defined molecular targets (receptors, enzymes), protein–protein interfaces are not single gene products but three-dimensional arrangements of amino acids from each interacting protein. Aberrant PPIs are linked to diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, and infections, making them a major focus for innovative drug development despite significant druggability challenges[1][3][5].

Other names

Protein–protein interaction interfacePPI interfaceprotein interface

Disruption/inhibition of protein–protein interaction (PPI inhibitors); Stabilization of protein–protein interaction (PPI stabilizers); Allosteric modulation affecting interface conformation