# Human Cyclophilins—An Emerging Class of Drug Targets

## TL;DR

This review explores human cyclophilins as potential drug targets for various diseases, including viral infections and neurodegenerative disorders.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of cyclophilin isoforms and their roles in disease, emphasizing the development of selective inhibitors.

## Key findings

- Cyclophilins are involved in diverse biological processes and diseases.
- Selective small-molecule inhibitors of cyclophilins show therapeutic potential.
- The structural characteristics of cyclophilin isoforms are described in detail.

## Abstract

Cyclophilins are a family of enzymes with peptidyl‐prolyl isomerase activity found in all cells of all organisms. To date, 17 cyclophilin isoforms have been identified in the human body, participating in diverse biological processes. Consequently, cyclophilins have emerged as promising targets for drug development to address a wide array of human diseases. This review describes the structural characteristics of individual cyclophilin isoforms and explores the roles that they play in human health and diseases, such as in viral infections, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular diseases, or cancer. Additionally, the review addresses inhibition of cyclophilins, particularly focusing on the development of selective small‐molecule inhibitors of individual cyclophilins, which possess a significant potential as novel therapeutics.