Methods for obtaining highly target-specific inhibitory compounds are
disclosed. These inhibitory compounds provide for the preservation of a
native, non-activated form of an autoinhibited molecule, such as a
protein or enzyme. The inhibitory compounds are further described as
essentially free of inhibitory activity for non-native forms of an
autoinhibited molecule of interest. By way of example, such autoinhibited
molecules of interest include proteins and enzymes, such as the
p-21-activated kinases (Paks) and the Rho-activated proteins. The
inhibitory compounds act by binding to a distinct, autoinhibitory domain
of an autoinhibited molecule (protein), and thereby stabilize an
autoinhibited conformation of the molecule (protein). Preparations,
including pharmaceutical preparations, compromising a composition
enriched for the inhibitory compounds are also disclosed.