Structural Knowledge for Molecular Optimization: The Cases of Metal-Mediated Protein–Protein Interactions and Structural Vaccinology

The knowledge of the structural properties of molecules and of their recognition and interaction patterns with partners is a key feature for understanding their functional properties. This is particularly true for the comprehension of complex cellular processes in which several interacting proteins are involved. The structural characterization of all the molecules involved in a process allows the understanding of the malfunctioning of such process and eventually the design of biomolecules able to counterbalance it. The examples reported in this Microreview demonstrate that the characterization of the factors determining protein–protein recognition patterns is an essential step for understanding processes at the basis of metal homeostasis and for the molecular optimization of antigens as potent vaccine candidate, and in general for developing molecules able to affect or promote cellular pathways based on protein–protein interaction networks.