Engineering novel bioactive mini-proteins on natural scaffolds

Novel bioactive mini-proteins have been engineered by a rational approach, implying the structural and functional reproduction of protein binding site s on stable natural protein structures, functioning as scaffolds. Such mole cules, possessing a well-defined three-dimensional structure and a specific biological activity, represent new tools in biology, biotechnology, medica l sciences, and also precious intermediates useful in drug design, facilita ting the conversion of a protein functional epitope into a classical pharma ceutical. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.