The term chemogenetics has been used to describe the processes by which macromolecules can be engineered to interact with previously unrecognized small molecules. Chemogenetics as a term was originally coined to describe the observed effects of mutations on chalcone isomerase activity on substrate specificities in the flowers of Dianthus caryophyllus. Such engineered macromolecules include nucleic acid hybrids, kinases a variety of metabolic enzymes, and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) such as DREADDs.
Uses
GPCRs are the target for some of the most widely used pharmaceuticals to treat diseases that involve virtually all tissues of the body. Viral expression of DREADD proteins, both in-vivo enhancers and inhibitors of neuronal function, have been used to bidirectionally control behaviors in mice (e.g odor discimination).