membrane

A membrane protein is a protein molecule that is attached to or associated with the membrane of a cell or an organelle. Membrane proteins can be classified into two groups based on how the protein is associated with the membrane: integral membrane proteins and peripheral membrane proteins. In humans, about 30% genome encodes membrane proteins. Membrane proteins perform a variety of functions vital to the survival of organisms, for example, signal transduction, molecules or ion transportation, enzymatic catalysis, and intercellular communication. Membrane proteins also play important roles in drug discovery. As reported, more than 60% of current drug targets are membrane proteins.

MCE supplies a unique collection of 7,761 compounds targeting a variety of membrane proteins. MCE Membrane Protein-targeted Compound Library can be used for membrane protein-focused screening and drug discovery.

Membrane receptors, also known cell surface receptors or transmembrane receptors, are transmembrane proteins embedded into the plasma membrane which play an essential role in maintaining communication between the internal processes within the cell and various types of extracellular signals. They act in cell signaling by receiving (binding to) extracellular molecules, which are also called ligands. These extracellular molecules include hormones, cytokines, growth factors, neurotransmitters, lipophilic signaling molecules such as prostaglandins, and cell recognition molecules.

There are three kinds of membrane receptors: ion channel-linked receptors, enzyme-linked receptors and G-protein-linked receptors. They play important roles in keeping human normal physiologic processes. GPCRs and ion channels are important drug targets in drug discovery.

MCE provides a unique collection of 6,917 compounds targeting a variety of membrane receptors. MCE Membrane reeptor-targeted Compound Library can be used for membrane receptor-focused screening and drug discovery.

Most of molecules enter or leave cells mainly via membrane transport proteins, which play important roles in several cellular functions, including cell metabolism, ion homeostasis, signal transduction, the recognition process in the immune system, energy transduction, etc. There are three major types of transport proteins, ATP-powered pumps, channel proteins and transporters. Transport proteins such as channels and transporters play important roles in the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis, and mutations in these transport protein genes have been identified in the pathogenesis of a number of hereditary diseases. In the central nervous system, ion channels have been linked to, but not limited to, many diseases such asataxias, paralyses, epilepsies, and deafness. This indicates the roles of ion channels in the initiation and coordination of movement, sensory perception, and encoding and processing of information. Ion channels are a major class of drug targets in drug development.

MCE designs a unique collection of 2,203 smal-molecule modulators that can be used for the research of Ion Channel and Membrane Transporter or high throughput screening (HTS) related drug discovery.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels which include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, etc. CVDs are the number 1 cause of death globally. Smoking, unhealthy nutrition, aging population, lack of physical activity, arterial hypertension, or diabetes can promote cardiovascular disease like myocardial infarction or stroke. It is multifactorial and encompasses a multitude of mechanisms, such as eNOS uncoupling, reactive oxygen species formation, chronic inflammatory disorders and abnormal calcium homeostasis. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetes agents may reduce the cardiovascular disease risk.

MCE supplies a unique collection of 2,403 compounds with confirmed anti-cardiovascular activity. These compounds mainly target metabolic enzyme, membrane transporter, ion channel, inflammation related signaling pathways. MCE Anti-Cardiovascular Disease Compound Library can be used for cardiovascular diseases related research and high throughput and high content screening for new drugs.

Normal mitochondrial function is critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis because mitochondria produce ATP and are the major intracellular source of free radicals. Cellular dysfunctions induced by intracellular or extracellular insults converge on mitochondria and induce a sudden increase in permeability on the inner mitochondrial membrane, the so-called mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MMPT). MMPT is caused by the opening of pores in the inner mitochondrial membrane, matrix swelling, and outer membrane rupture. The MMPT is an endpoint to initiate cell death because the pore opening together with the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c activates the apoptotic pathway of caspases.

The normal operation of mitochondrial function is important for maintaining normal cell death and treatment of mitochondrial diseases. MCE offers a unique collection of 1,040 compounds with identified and potential mitochondrial protective activity. MCE Mitochondrial Protection Compound Library is critical for drug discovery and development.

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway that is essential for cell survival, differentiation, development, and homeostasis. The process of autophagy in mammalian cells is as follows: a portion of cytoplasm, including organelles, is enclosed by a phagophore or isolation membrane to form an autophagosome. The outer membrane of the autophagosome subsequently fuses with the endosome and then the lysosome, and the internal material is degraded. Autophagy plays a wide variety of physiological and pathophysiological roles. Defective autophagy contributes to various pathologies, including infections, cancer, neurodegeneration, aging, and heart disease.

MCE provides a unique collection of 1,996 autophagy pathway-related compounds that is a useful tool for the research of autophagy-related regulation and diseases.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane binding structures that are released from cells into the surrounding environment and play a crucial role in mediating and regulating intercellular communication related to physiological and pathological processes. EVs are lipid membrane vesicles composed of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. EVs can be divided into several types based on their source, such as extracellular vesicles, microcapsules, and apoptotic vesicles. The size range of exosomes is 30-150nm, which are endocrine in multi vesicular endosomes (MVEs); microvesicles (50-1000nm) are secreted directly through extracellular interactions, thereby releasing plasma membrane vesicles. In contrast, apoptotic bodies are usually larger, ranging in size from 1 to 5 μ m. This is generated during programmed cell death. EV plays a crucial role in transmitting information between cells and influencing the behavior and function of receptor cells.

MCE designs a unique collection of 660 small molecules related to extracellular vesicles (EVs). It is a good tool to be used for research on metabolize, cancer and other diseases.

Ion channel is a membrane-binding enzyme whose catalytic site is an ion conduction pore, which is opened and closed in response to specific environmental stimuli (voltage, ligand concentration, membrane tension, temperature, etc.). Ion channel provide pores for the passive diffusion of ions on the biofilm. Due to their high selectivity for ion, ion channel are generally classified as sodium (Na⁺ ), potassium (K⁺ ), calcium (Ca²⁺ ), chloride (Cl^- ), and non-specific cation channel. Ion channel is an important contributor to cell signal transduction and homeostasis. In addition to electrical signal transduction, ion channel also have many functions: regulating vascular smooth muscle contraction, maintaining normal cell volume, regulating glandular secretion, protein kinase activation, etc. Therefore, dysfunction of ion channel can lead to many diseases, and its mechanism research is particularly important.

MCE designs a unique collection of 1,703 small molecules related to ion channel, mainly targeting Na⁺ channel, K⁺ channel, Ca²⁺ channel, GABA receptor, iGluR, etc. It is an essential tool for research of cardiovascular diseases, Nervous system diseases and other diseases.

Bioactive compounds are a general term for a class of substances that can cause certain biological effects in the body, which are the main source of small molecule drugs. These compounds generally penetrate cell membranes, act on specific target proteins in cells, regulate intracellular signaling pathways, and cause some changes in cell phenotype.

MCE high-throughput bioactive compound library integrates 28,992 spot and futures bioactive compounds with confirmed biological activities and clear targets. These compounds can also be used for signal pathway research, drug discovery and drug repurposing, etc.

Bioactive compounds are a general term for a class of substances that can cause certain biological effects in the body, which are the main source of small molecule drugs. These compounds generally penetrate cell membranes, act on specific target proteins in cells, regulate intracellular signaling pathways, and cause some changes in cell phenotype.

MCE owns a unique collection of 26,377 compounds with confirmed biological activities and clear targets. These compounds include natural products, innovative compounds, approved compounds, and clinical compounds. These can also be used for signal pathway research, drug discovery and drug repurposing, etc.

Ion channels are key proteins on the cell membrane that regulate the flow of ions across membranes. They participate in nearly all physiological processes, including nerve conduction, muscle contraction, heart rhythm, and pain perception. Abnormalities in their function can lead to various serious diseases such as arrhythmia, epilepsy, hypertension, neuropathic pain, and cancer. Therefore, ion channels are highly valuable drug targets—over 15% of approved drugs target ion channels currently, demonstrating their irreplaceable therapeutic value in cardiovascular, neurological, and analgesic fields.

MCE has collected a library of over 5,000 reported ion channel-related bioactive compounds targeting major sites such as Na+ channels, K+ channels, Ca2+ channels, GABA receptors, iGluRs, and others. Using AI models, these compounds are characterized through both 2D representations (molecular fingerprints, pharmacophores) and 3D representations (3D conformation) to screen for a collection of lead-like compounds highly similar to known active molecules. Additionally, an hERG channel prediction algorithm integrating XGB and ISE mapping strategy is employed to assess and exclude potential cardiotoxicity in the library.. This step significantly reduces safety risks in subsequent screenings, particularly for ion channel drug development related to cardiovascular systems (e.g., Nav1.5, Cav1.2), effectively minimizing failures due to hERG inhibition and serving as a valuable tool for ion channel drug screening.

ASINEX has elaborated a library of diverse macrocycles using an effective tool box of synthetic methods. The resulting scaffolds are novel, tremendously diverse, medchem-relevant, macrocyclic frameworks.

Macrocyles tend to be larger than traditional screening molecules which make them perfect discovery tools for targets with shallow or extended binding sites. At the same time, their unique character based on restricted flexibility and ability to form intra-molecular hydrogen bonds allows for design approaches effectively optimizing properties such asaqueous solubility and membrane permeability. Many of these macrocycles have been tested for aqueous and DMSO solubility with cut-offs applied at 10 mM in DMSO and 50 µM in PBS (pH 7.4) followed by PAMPA permeability assay.

Fatty acids (FAs) are the main components of lipids. The synthesis of fatty acids mainly involves the Triglyceride (TG) cycle and De Novo Lipogenesis (DNL). Fatty acids which exist widely in organisms are components of cell membranes and play an indispensable role in cell signaling. In addition, FFAs can be taken up from circulating plasma by all mitochondria-containing cells, and they are metabolized by β-oxidation and the citric acid cycle to release large amounts of energy in the form of ATP. Abnormal fatty acid metabolism is associated with the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, fatty liver, hyperthyroidism, and other diseases.

MCE offers a unique collection of fatty acid compounds. Fatty Acids Compound Library is an important tool for the study of energy metabolism and drug development of metabolism-related diseases.

Lipids are a diverse and ubiquitous group of compounds which have many key biological functions, such as acting as structural components of cell membranes, serving as energy storage sources and participating in signaling pathways. Several studies suggest that bioactive lipids have effects on the treatment of some mental illnesses and metabolic syndrome. For example, DHA and EPA are important for monoaminergic neurotransmission, brain development and synaptic functioning, and are also correlated with a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease in clinical and animal studies.

MCE supplies a unique collection of 1,274 lipid and lipid derivative related compounds including triglycerides, phospholipids, sphingolipids, steroids and their structural analogues or derivatives. MCE lipid compound library can be used for research in bioactive lipids, and high throughput screening (HTS) and high content screening (HCS).

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles of endocytic origin that are secreted by most cells in culture. Exosomes contain nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, amino acids, and metabolites, etc. Their diverse constituents can reflect their cell of origin. Exosomes are associated with immune responses, viral pathogenicity, pregnancy, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system-related diseases, and cancer progression. Proteins, metabolites, and nucleic acids delivered by exosomes into recipient cells effectively alter their biological response. Such exosome-mediated responses can be disease promoting or restraining.

The biology of exosomes in disease is still emerging, and the number of studies addressing their utility in the diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies has increased substantially. MCE supplies a unique collection of 53 compounds with the activity of inhibiting or stimulating exsomes secretion/biosynthesis. MCE Exosomes Compound Library is a useful tool for exsomes research.

Sodium channels conduct sodium ions (Na+) through a cell's plasma membrane that are the source of excitatory currents for the nervous system and muscle. Na channels are classified according to the trigger that opens the channel for such ions, i.e. either a voltage-change (Voltage-gated, voltage-sensitive, or voltage-dependent sodium channel also called VGSCs or Nav channel) or a binding of a substance (a ligand) to the channel (ligand-gated sodium channels). Dysfunction in voltage-gated sodium channels correlates with neurological and cardiac diseases, including epilepsy, myopathies, pain and cardiac arrhythmias. Sodium channel blockers are used in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, pain and convulsion.

MCE offers a unique collection of 191 sodium channel blocker and antagonists, all of which have the identified inhibitory effect on sodium channels. MCE Sodium Channel Blocker Library can be used for neurological and cardiac diseases drug discovery and sodium channel research.

Antibiotics are types of antimicrobial products used for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. Antibiotics can kill or inhibit bacterial growth. Although the target of an antibiotic is bacteria, some antibiotics also attack fungi and protozoans. However, antibiotics rarely have an effect on viruses. The major mechanism underlying antibiotics is the inhibition or regulation of enzymes involved in cell wall biosynthesis, nucleic acid metabolism and repair, protein synthesis, or disruption of membrane structure. Many of these cellular functions targeted by antibiotics are most active in multiplying cells. Since there is often overlap in these functions between prokaryotic bacterial cells and eukaryotic mammalian cells, it is not surprising that some antibiotics have also been found to be useful as anticancer agents.

MCE supplies a unique collection of 751 antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, macrolides, etc. MCE Antibiotics Library is a useful tool for anti-bacterial or anti-cancer drugs discovery.

The high rates of morbidity and mortality caused by fungal infections are associated with the current limited antifungal arsenal and the high toxicity of the compounds. Additionally, identifying novel drug targets is challenging because there are many similarities between fungal and human cells. The most common antifungal targets include fungal RNA synthesis and cell wall and membrane components, though new antifungal targets are being investigated. Nonetheless, fungi have developed resistance mechanisms, such as overexpression of efflux pump proteins, overexpression and changes in drug targets and biofilm formation, emphasizing the importance of discovering new antifungal drugs and therapies. Due to the limited antifungal arsenal, researchers have sought to improve treatment via different approaches, such as the combination of antifungal drugs, development of new formulations for antifungal agents and modifications to the chemical structures of traditional antifungals, etc.

MCE offers a unique collection of 559 compounds with validated antifungal activities. MCE antifungal compound library is an effective tool for drug repurposing screening, combination screening and biological investigation.

Protein ubiquitination is an enzymatic post-translational modification in which an ubiquitin protein is attached to a substrate protein. Ubiquitination involves three main steps: activation, conjugation, and ligation, performed by ubiquitin-activating enzymes (E1s), ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s), and ubiquitin ligases (E3s), respectively. Ubiquitination affects cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA damage repair, and membrane transportation, etc. by regulating the degradation of proteins (via the proteasome and lysosome), altering the cellular localization of proteins, affecting proteins activity, and promoting or preventing protein-protein interactions. Deregulation of ubiquitin pathway leads to many diseases such as neurodegeneration, cancer, infection and immunity, etc.

MCE offers a unique collection of 486 small molecule modulators with biological activity used for ubiquitination research. Compounds in this library target the key enzymes in ubiquitin pathway. MCE Ubiquitination Compound Library is a useful tool for the research of ubiquitination regulation and the corresponding diseases.

Viruses are much simpler organisms than bacteria, and they are made from protein substances and nucleic acid. Despite the fact that the exact mechanism of infection is extremely specific to each type of virus, the general scheme of infection can be represented in the following manner: A virus is absorbed at the surface of a host cell and then permeates through the membrane, where it releases nucleic acid from its protein protection. Then the viral nucleic acid begins to replicate, and transcription of the viral genome takes place either in the cytoplasm, or in the nucleus of the host cell. As a result of these events, a large amount of viral nucleic acid and protein are made to make new generations of virions. Therefore, one mechanism of action of antiviral drugs is to interfere with the ability of a virus to get into a target cell. A second mechanism of action is to target the processes that synthesize virus components after a virus invades a cell, such as nucleotide or nucleoside analogs.

MCE designs a unique collection of 1,189 anti-virus compounds that target several viruses, including SARS-CoV, HBV, HCV, HIV, HSV and Influenza Virus. It’s an effective tool for anti-virus drug discovery.

Neurotransmitter (NT) receptors, also known as neuroreceptors, are a broadly diverse group of membrane proteins that bind neurotransmitters for neuronal signaling. There are two major types of neurotransmitter receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic. Ionotropic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels, meaning that the receptor protein includes both a neurotransmitter binding site and an ion channel. The binding of a neurotransmitter molecule (the ligand) to the binding site induces a conformational change in the receptor structure, which opens, or gates, the ion channel. The term “metabotropic receptors” is typically used to refer to transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors. Metabotropic receptors trigger second messenger-mediated effects within cells after neurotransmitter binding.

In some neurological diseases, the neurotransmitter receptor itself appears to be the target of the disease process. Many neuroactive drugs act by modifying neurotransmitter receptors. A better understanding of neurotransmitter receptor changes in disease may lead to improvements in therapy.

MCE designs a unique collection of 2,526 compounds targeting a variety of neurotransmitter receptors. MCE Neurotransmitter Receptor Compound Library is a useful tool for neurological diseases drug discovery.

Mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes can modify multiple signaling pathways and in turn cell metabolism, which facilitates tumorigenesis. The paramount hallmark of tumor metabolism is “aerobic glycolysis” or the Warburg effect, coined by Otto Warburg in 1926, in which cancer cells produce most of energy from glycolysis pathway regardless of whether in aerobic or anaerobic condition. Usually, cancer cells are highly glycolytic (glucose addiction) and take up more glucose than do normal cells from outside. The increased uptake of glucose is facilitated by the overexpression of several isoforms of membrane glucose transporters (GLUTs). Likewise, the metabolic pathways of glutamine, amino acid and fat metabolism are also altered. Recent trends in anti-cancer drug discovery suggests that targeting the altered metabolic pathways of cancer cells result in energy crisis inside the cancer cells and can selectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation by delaying or suppressing tumor growth.

MCE provides a unique collection of 3,626 compounds which cover various tumor metabolism-related signaling pathways. These compounds can be used for anti-cancer metabolism targets identification, validation as well anti-cancer drug discovery.

Ionizable lipids are a class of specialized, functional lipid molecules with pH-sensitive charge characteristics. They are primarily divided into two major categories: ionizable cationic lipids and ionizable anionic lipids, though the term typically specifies ionizable cationic lipids within the biomedical field. Structurally, these lipids consist of an ionizable hydrophilic headgroup, a biodegradable linker, and hydrophobic tails. Their primary application is serving as the key delivery vehicle in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to encapsulate negatively charged nucleic acid macromolecules, such as mRNA vaccines, siRNA therapeutics, and CRISPR gene-editing components. In a physiological, neutral environment, they remain electrically neutral to minimize systemic toxicity and prolong circulation time. Upon entering the acidic microenvironment of cellular endosomes, however, they undergo protonation to become positively charged, thereby inducing membrane fusion and enabling the highly efficient intracellular release of the nucleic acid cargo. Consequently, they serve as the technological cornerstone for bringing nucleic acid therapies into clinical application.

To accelerate the translational process of cutting-edge nucleic acid drugs, MCE has meticulously constructed an ionizable lipid compound library containing 94 high-performance molecules, aiming to provide researchers and pharmaceutical professionals with a high-throughput, multi-dimensional lipid screening platform.

Dopamine receptor (DAR), widely distributed in the brain, plays a key role in regulating motor function, motivation, driving force and cognition. The role of DA is mediated by D1-type (D1, D5) and D2-type receptors (D2S, D2L, D3, D4), which are distributed in presynaptic, postsynaptic and extrasynaptic, projection neurons and interneurons. Each receptor has a different function. D1 and D5 receptors couple with G stimulation sites and activate Adenylyl cyclase. The activation of Adenylyl cyclase leads to the production of the second messenger cAMP, which leads to the production of protein kinase A (PKA), which leads to further transcription in the nucleus. D2 to D4 receptors are coupled to G inhibitory sites to inhibit adenylyl cyclase and activate potassium Ion channel. These receptors utilize phosphorylation cascades or direct membrane interactions to affect the functions of voltage-gated and neurotransmitter-gated channels, cytoplasmic enzymes, and transcription factors. Dopamine receptor plays an important role in daily life.

MCE designs a unique collection of 271 small molecules related to dopamine receptor. It is a good tool for screening drugs from nervous system disease.

Bioactive compounds are a general term for a class of substances that can cause certain biological effects in the body, which are the main source of small molecule drugs. These compounds generally penetrate cell membranes, act on specific target proteins in cells, regulate intracellular signaling pathways, and cause some changes in cell phenotype.

MCE owns a unique collection of 32,925 compounds with confirmed biological activities and clear targets. These compounds include natural products, innovative compounds, approved compounds, and clinical compounds. This library is a useful tool for signal pathway research, drug discovery and drug repurposing, etc.

Bioactive Compound Library Plus, with more powerful screening capability, further complements Bioactive Compound Library (HY-L001) by adding some compounds with low solubility or solution stability (Part B) and some novel, rare or exclusive compounds (Part C) to this library. Overall, bioactive compound library plus (HY-L001P) includes tree parts: Part A, Part B and Part C. Compounds in Part A are equal to the products in HY-L001, which can be supplied in solution or solid form. Compounds in Part B and C are only supplied in solid form.

Currently,the incidence and mortality rates of clinical fungal infections remain high. Existing antifungal drugs are limited in variety and associated with numerous adverse effects, creating an urgent demand for the development of novel antifungal agents. Antifungal compound libraries can support the screening and development of new antifungal drugs.

The mechanisms of action of antifungal drugs cover key processes such as fungal cell membrane synthesis, cell wall synthesis, and cell division. They exert fungicidal or fungistatic effects by specifically targeting different molecular pathways. This library includes a variety of core analogs of antifungal drugs, making it adaptable to antifungal research in diverse scenarios. It can be used for the high-throughput screening of novel antifungal drug candidates, enabling the rapid identification of compounds with potential antifungal activity and facilitating the elucidation of drug-target interactions and resistance mechanisms. Additionally, it supports the screening of compounds and combinations that reverse drug resistance, thereby uncovering the novel antifungal potential of existing compounds.

The library comprises 8350 compounds with a well-defined screening strategy. The core sources of the compounds include analogs of known antifungal active moleculeswith a similarity score of ≥ 0.6 MCE has collected more than 500 antifungal molecules.All screened compounds conform to lead-like physicochemical properties, exhibiting both structural diversity and drug-like characteristics, and providing valuable support for the research and development of novel antifungal drugs.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane proteins in humans and one of the most important targets in drug discovery. Approximately 35% of launched drugs are targeted GPCRs, making them a crucial class of targets in drug discovery.

The orthosteric site of a GPCR is its endogenous ligand’s (such as neurotransmitters or hormones) binding site. This site plays a central role in signal transduction. Small molecules binding to this site typically contain a protonatable amino group, enabling the formation of salt bridges or hydrogen bonds with acidic residues in the binding pocket. In contrast, the allosteric site does not directly initiate signaling but modulates the signal intensity of the GPCR by altering or stabilizing the conformation of the orthosteric site. Small molecules binding to the allosteric site often contain multiple aromatic rings to occupy hydrophobic pockets and achieve their functional effects.

MCE has collected over 7,113 reported bioactive molecules targeting GPCRs, covering Class A, B, and C GPCRs. These small molecules were subjected to AI representation to extract 2D and 3D features. Subsequently, we do screening by AI score based on similarity to identify molecules in diversity library highly similar to the reported bioactive molecules in both 2D and 3D, with a threshold greater than 0.7. Further screening based on cLogP was applied to select molecules with good lipophilicity, which facilitates the binding of small molecules to GPCRs. This diversity library can be widely applied to the discovery of compounds targeting GPCR proteins.