This perspective discusses the role
of pregnane xenobiotic receptor
(PXR) in drug discovery and the impact of its activation on CYP3A4
induction. The use of structural biology to reduce PXR activity on
drug discovery projects has become more common in recent years. Analysis
of this work highlights several important molecular interactions,
and the resultant structural modifications to reduce PXR activity
are summarized. The computational approaches undertaken to support
the design of new drugs devoid of PXR activation potential are also
discussed. Finally, the SAR of empirical design strategies to reduce
PXR activity is reviewed, and the key SAR transformations are discussed
and summarized. In conclusion, this perspective demonstrates that
PXR activity can be greatly diminished or negated on active drug discovery
projects with the knowledge now available. This perspective should
be useful to anyone who seeks to reduce PXR activity on a drug discovery
project.