How Big Is Too Big for Cell Permeability?

Abstract

Understanding how to design cell permeable ligands for intracellular targets that have difficult binding sites, such as protein-protein interactions, would open vast opportunities for drug discovery. Interestingly, libraries of cyclic peptides displayed a steep drop-off in membrane permeability at molecular weights above 1000 Da and it appears likely that this cutoff constitutes an upper size limit also for more druglike compounds. However, chemical space from 500 to 1000 Da remains virtually unexplored and represents a vast opportunity for those prepared to venture into new territories of drug discovery.