A small molecule receptor that selectively recognizes trimethyl lysine in a histone peptide with native protein-like affinity

A small molecule receptor that mimics the HP1 chromodomain's affinity for trimethyl lysine has been identified from a dynamic combinatorial library. Discrimination for trimethyl lysine over the lower methylation states parallels that of the native protein receptor. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of small molecule receptors as potential sensors for protein post-translational modifications.