structured RNA

The RNA-targeted bioactive compound library is a high-quality collection of small molecules specifically designed and curated to target RNA structures and functions. It is widely applied in cutting-edge drug discovery and life science research. Unlike traditional strategies that focus on protein targets, RNA-targeted compounds can directly modulate various functional RNA molecules by influencing their splicing, translation, stability, or structural conformation, thereby enabling precise intervention in key biological processes. In the field of drug development, these compounds provide a novel approach to addressing previously “undruggable” targets and have demonstrated significant potential in areas such as oncology, antiviral therapies, and neurodegenerative diseases. For example, by targeting disease-associated RNA structural domains or regulating the aberrant expression of non-coding RNAs, these compounds can effectively inhibit disease progression or restore normal cellular function. In mechanistic studies, RNA-targeted compounds serve as valuable chemical biology tools to elucidate the roles of RNA in gene expression regulation, cellular signaling pathways, and disease development.

The MCE RNA-targeted bioactive compound library contains 854 compounds, sourced from databases such as TargetRX Atlas and R-BIND. The library features excellent structural diversity and biological activity, making it suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS), target validation, phenotypic screening, and lead compound discovery. It represents a valuable resource for RNA-related research and innovative drug development.

Epigenetics refers to changes in phenotype that are not rooted in DNA sequence. Many types of epigenetic processes have been identified, including DNA methylation, alteration in the structure of histone proteins and gene regulation by small noncoding microRNAs. Modification of DNA, protein, or RNA, resulting in changes to the function and/or regulation of these molecules, without altering their primary sequences, reveals the complexities of cellular differentiation, embryology, the regulation of gene expression, aging, cancer, and other diseases.

MCE provide a unique collection of 1,915 epigenetics-related compounds that can be used in the research of the related diseases.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic enveloped positive- strand RNA virus (family Flaviviridae) that infects the parenchymal cells of the liver. HCV infection is a significant public health burden. Globally, an estimated 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C virus infection. A significant number of those who are chronically infected will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. To date, there is no vaccine against HCV, and combination pegylated alpha interferon (pIFN-) and ribavirin, the main standard-of-care treatment for HCV, is effective in only a subset of patients and is associated with a wide spectrum of toxic side effects and complications. More recently, new therapeutic approaches that target essential components of the HCV life cycle have been developed, including direct-acting antiviral (DAA) that specifically block a viral enzyme or functional protein and host-targeted agents (HTA) that block interactions between host proteins and viral components that are essential to the viral life cycle. However, the genetic diversity of HCV viruses and the stage of liver disease (i.e., cirrhosis) are revealing themselves as obstacles for effective, pan-genotypic treatments. There still exists a need for the discovery and development of new HCV inhibitors. In particular, since the future of HCV therapy will likely consist of a cocktail approach using multiple inhibitors that target different steps of infection, new antivirals targeting all steps of the viral infection cycle.

MCE offers a unique collection of 389 compounds with identified and potential anti-HCV activity. MCE Anti- Hepatitis C Virus Compound Library is a useful tool for discovery new anti-HCV drugs and other anti-infection research.

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 537 compounds with validated antifungal activities. MCE antifungal compound library is an effective tool for drug repurposing screening, combination screening and biological investigation.

Mitochondria, as the main place of energy supply in life, is essential to maintain normal life activities. Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with common diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and cancer. The heart, brain and liver rely heavily on mitochondrial function as the main organs for drug metabolism. In addition, mitochondria is also a target of many drugs, some of which induce organotoxicity by inducing mitochondrial toxicity.

MCE contains 532 mitochondrial toxic compounds, which can be used as tool compounds for drug development and disease mechanism research.

DNA is prone to numerous forms of damage that can injure cells and impair fitness. Cells have developed an array of mechanisms to repair these injuries. Proliferating cells are especially vulnerable to DNA damage due to the added demands of cellular growth and division. Cell cycle checkpoints represent integral components of DNA repair that coordinate cooperation between the machinery of the cell cycle and several biochemical pathways that respond to damage and restore DNA structure. By delaying progression through the cell cycle, checkpoints provide more time for repair before the critical phases of DNA replication, when the genome is replicated, and of mitosis, when the genome is segregated. Loss or attenuation of checkpoint function may increase spontaneous and induced gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations by reducing the efficiency of DNA repair.

MCE owns a unique collection of 3,275 cell cycle/DNA damage-related compounds which can be used in the research of the same.