https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2008.009
Published: Kem. Ind. 57 (11) (2008) 511–519
Paper reference number: KUI-09/2008
Paper type: Review
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Identical and Nonidentical Twin Drugs

M. Huzjak, Z. Rajić and B. Zorc

Abstract

Twin drugs contain two pharmacophoric groups combined covalently in a single molecule. Pharmacophoric groups can be identical moieties (identical twin drugs) or different (nonidentical twin drugs). Identical twin drugs can act on receptors (biogenic amine receptors, peptide receptors, Ca2+ channel, σ receptors in the brain, leukotriene B4 receptors), as enzyme inhibitors (HIVenzyme, protein kinase, prolyl hydrolase, acyl-CoA cholesterol acyl transferase, spermidine- spermine-N1-acetyltransferase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase), and as DNA ligands. Nonidentical twin drugs exert their dual action on two different receptors, on two binding sites of a single receptor, on two enzymes, or on both a receptor and an enzyme.

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Keywords

twin drugs, pharmacological activity, receptor, enzyme