Protein surface recognition and proteomimetics: mimics of protein surface structure and function.

Due to their key roles in a number of biological processes, protein-protein interactions are attractive and important targets, typically involving areas greater than 6 nm2. The disruption of such interactions remains a challenging feat but, in recent years, there has been considerable progress in the design of proteomimetics: molecules that mimic the structure and function of extended regions of protein surfaces. In particular, porphyrins, calixarenes, alpha-helical mimetics and small molecules have successfully modulated significant protein-protein interactions, including those involved in cancer and HIV.