Pan-assay interference compounds
Pan-assay interference compounds (PAINS)[edit | edit source]
Pan-assay interference compounds, commonly abbreviated as PAINS, are chemical compounds that often give false positive results in high-throughput screening (HTS) assays. These compounds interfere with multiple assay technologies, leading to misleading results in drug discovery processes. Understanding and identifying PAINS is crucial for researchers in the field of medicinal chemistry and pharmacology.
Characteristics of PAINS[edit | edit source]
PAINS are characterized by their ability to interact with multiple targets or assay components in a non-specific manner. This can occur through various mechanisms, such as:
- Reactive functional groups: Some PAINS contain reactive groups that can form covalent bonds with proteins or other assay components.
- Redox activity: Compounds that undergo redox reactions can interfere with assays that rely on redox-sensitive readouts.
- Chelation: PAINS may chelate metal ions that are essential for the function of certain proteins or enzymes.
- Fluorescence interference: Some PAINS are inherently fluorescent or can quench fluorescence, affecting assays that use fluorescence-based detection methods.
Identification and Avoidance[edit | edit source]
To identify PAINS, researchers use computational filters and databases that catalog known PAINS structures. These tools help in screening out compounds that are likely to cause assay interference. Some common strategies to avoid PAINS include:
- Using PAINS filters: Software tools that flag potential PAINS based on their chemical structure.
- Cross-validation: Testing compounds in multiple assay formats to confirm their activity is not due to interference.
- Structural analysis: Examining the chemical structure for known PAINS motifs.
Impact on Drug Discovery[edit | edit source]
PAINS can significantly impact the drug discovery process by leading researchers to pursue false leads. This can result in wasted resources and time. By identifying and excluding PAINS early in the screening process, researchers can focus on more promising compounds, improving the efficiency of drug development.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD