Tissue proteins and cellular structures

Tissue proteins and cellular structures is a broad, non-specific designation used to describe the collective biological components of an organism that may interact with certain pharmacological agents. Unlike specific receptors or enzymes, this category includes a wide array of structural proteins, membrane lipids, and intracellular organelles that lack a single, defined binding site (Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 13th Ed). Drugs associated with this 'target' often exert their effects through non-specific mechanisms, such as the chemical modification of functional groups on various proteins or the alteration of physical properties of cellular membranes (NCBI Bookshelf, 'General Principles of Drug Action'). Examples include alkylating agents that bind to numerous cellular nucleophiles and general anesthetics that interact with various hydrophobic pockets in proteins and lipids (PubChem, 'Pharmacology and Toxicology'). Due to its lack of molecular specificity, it is not considered a valid therapeutic target for modern drug discovery and is often used as a placeholder for drugs with poorly characterized or multi-faceted mechanisms of action.

Other names

Cellular componentsStructural proteinsTissue-associated proteinsExtracellular matrix components

Non-specific covalent or non-covalent interaction with various cellular and extracellular components, including protein denaturation, alkylation, or physical-chemical partitioning.