Similar but Different: Thermodynamic and Structural Characterization of a Pair of Enantiomers Binding to Acetylcholinesterase

Take a closer look: Unexpectedly, a pair of enantiomeric ligands proved to have similar binding affinities for acetylcholinesterase. Further studies indicated that the enantiomers exhibit different thermodynamic profiles. Analyses of the noncovalent interactions in the protein–ligand complexes revealed that these differences are partly due to nonclassical hydrogen bonds between the ligands and aromatic side chains of the protein.