Toxicophore

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A toxicophore is a feature or group within a chemical structure that is thought to be responsible for the toxic properties.

A toxic substance exerts its toxicity through interaction (generally covalent binding or oxidation) with a cellular macromolecule, such as a protein or DNA. This causes changes in the normal cellular biochemistry and physiology eliciting toxic effects.

Sometimes the toxicophore requires bioactivation, becoming modified by an enzyme, to produce a more reactive chemical species, that is able to covalently bind to cellular macromolecules.

Generally, different chemical compounds that contain the same toxicophore elicit similar toxic effects —- the same toxic effects within the same organ system or area of the body.

Reference

• Williams D.P. & Naisbitt D.J. (2002). "Toxicophores: Groups and metabolic routes associated with increased safety risk" in Current Opinion in Drug Discovery and Development. 5 (1), 104-115.

 

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