G-Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are ubiquitous within eukaryotes, responsible for a wide array of physiological and pathological processes. Indeed, the fact that they are the most drugged target in the human genome is indicative of their importance. Despite the clear interest in GPCRs, most information regarding their activity has been so far obtained by analyzing the response from a "bulk medium". As such, this Perspective summarizes some of the common methods for this indirect observation. Nonetheless, by inspecting approaches applying super-resolution imaging, we argue that imaging is perfectly situated to obtain more detailed structural and spatial information, assisting in the development of new GPCR-targeted drugs and clinical strategies. The benefits of direct optical visualization of GPCRs are analyzed in the context of potential future directions in the field.

Illuminating the Path to Target GPCR Structures and Functions

Floresta G.;
2020-01-01

Abstract

G-Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are ubiquitous within eukaryotes, responsible for a wide array of physiological and pathological processes. Indeed, the fact that they are the most drugged target in the human genome is indicative of their importance. Despite the clear interest in GPCRs, most information regarding their activity has been so far obtained by analyzing the response from a "bulk medium". As such, this Perspective summarizes some of the common methods for this indirect observation. Nonetheless, by inspecting approaches applying super-resolution imaging, we argue that imaging is perfectly situated to obtain more detailed structural and spatial information, assisting in the development of new GPCR-targeted drugs and clinical strategies. The benefits of direct optical visualization of GPCRs are analyzed in the context of potential future directions in the field.
2020
Animals
Cryoelectron Microscopy
Crystallography, X-Ray
Humans
Mass Spectrometry
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Models, Molecular
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
Protein Conformation
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
Single Molecule Imaging
Spectrometry, Fluorescence
Surface Plasmon Resonance
Drug Discovery
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/537926
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