Molecular path for ligand search

A ligand is a small molecule bind to several residues of a receptor. We adapt the concept of molecular path for effective ligand search with its contacting residues. Additionally, we allow wild type definitions on atoms and bonds of molecular paths for fuzzy algorithms on structural match. We choose hydrogen bond interactions to characterize the binding mode of a ligand by several proper molecular paths and use them to query the deposited ligands in PDBe that interact with their residues in the same way. Expression of molecular path and format of database entries are described with examples. Our molecular path provides a new approach to explore the ligand-receptor interactions and to provide structural framework reference on new ligand design.