Biphenyls as potential mimetics of protein α-helix

Based on theoretical arguments, 2,6,3′,5′-substituted biphenyl analogues are proposed as protein α-helix mimetics superimposing the side chains of the residues i, i+1, i+3 and i+4. Knowing that many protein–protein interactions of therapeutical relevance involve α-helix contacts, the communication outlines how this novel category of scaffolds might potentially open access to such targets.