- Toxicophore
A toxicophore is a feature or group within a
chemical structure that is thought to be responsible for the toxic properties, either directly or viametabolic activation.A toxic substance exerts its
toxicity through interaction (covalent bond ing oroxidation ) with a cellularmacromolecule , such as aprotein orDNA . This causes changes in the normal cellularbiochemistry andphysiology eliciting toxic effects.Occasionally, the toxicophore requires bioactivation, modified by anenzyme , to produce a more reactivechemical species that is able to covalently bind to cellular macromolecules. Generally, different chemical compounds that contain the same toxicophore elicit similar toxic effects within the same organ system or area of the body. [cite book
last = Williams
first = D.P.
coauthors = Naisbitt, D.J.
title = Toxicophores: Groups and Metabolic Routes Associated with Increased Safety Risk
year = 2002
pages = pp. 104-115]References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.