Search the Guide to PHARMACOLOGY (IUPHAR/BPS) — an expert-curated pharmacology database — for protein targets by name. Returns matching targets with their GtoPdb target id, abbreviation, and type (e.g. GPCR, CatalyticReceptor, Enzyme, Transporter). Use the returned target id with target_interacti...
AI agents call search_targets to retrieve information from Guidetopharmacology without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
name | string | Yes | Target name or fragment to search for, e.g. "EGFR" or "dopamine receptor". |
limit | number | — | Max results to return (default 15). |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
This tool queries a read-only database (IUPHAR/BPS Guide to PHARMACOLOGY) to retrieve protein target information by name. It returns structured data (target id, abbreviation, type) without altering, creating, or deleting records. The intended use is to support downstream lookups via target_interactions. There is no code execution, financial transaction, or destructive operation.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Search[es]' and 'Returns matching targets' — pure data retrieval with no modification, creation, deletion, or execution. No side effects beyond fetching curated pharmacology information.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search the Guide to PHARMACOLOGY (IUPHAR/BPS) — an expert-curated pharmacology database — for protein targets by name. Returns matching targets with their GtoPdb target id, abbreviation, and type (e.g. GPCR, CatalyticReceptor, Enzyme, Transporter). Use the returned target id with target_interactions to find ligands that bind it. Keyless. Complements ChEMBL/DrugBank. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Guidetopharmacology MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
search_targets accepts 2 parameters: name, limit. Required: name. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Guidetopharmacology MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_targets: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Guidetopharmacology. Nothing to install.
search_targets is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the search_targets rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for search_targets. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
search_targets is provided by the Guidetopharmacology MCP server (pipeworx-io/mcp-guidetopharmacology). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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