The Journal of Physical Chemistry B,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 23, 2025
The
assembly
of
proteins
in
membranes
plays
a
key
role
many
crucial
cellular
pathways.
Despite
their
importance,
characterizing
transmembrane
remains
challenging
for
experiments
and
simulations.
Equilibrium
molecular
dynamics
simulations
do
not
cover
the
time
scales
required
to
sample
typical
assembly.
Hence,
most
studies
rely
on
enhanced
sampling
schemes
that
steer
along
collective
variable
should
encode
all
slow
degrees
freedom.
However,
given
complexity
condensed-phase
lipid
environment,
this
is
far
from
trivial,
with
consequence
free
energy
profiles
dimerization
can
be
poorly
converged.
Here,
we
introduce
an
alternative
approach,
which
relies
only
simulating
short,
dynamically
unbiased
paths,
avoiding
using
variables
or
biasing
forces.
By
merging
obtain
profiles,
rates,
mechanisms
same
set
We
showcase
our
algorithm
by
spontaneous
association
dissociation
protein
bilayer,
popular
coarse-grained
Martini
force
field.
Our
represents
promising
way
investigate
processes
biologically
relevant
membranes,
overcoming
some
challenges
conventional
methods.
Pharmacological Research,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
212, P. 107574 - 107574
Published: Jan. 2, 2025
G
protein-coupled
receptors
(GPCRs)
represent
the
largest
family
of
membrane
and
are
highly
effective
targets
for
therapeutic
drugs.
GPCRs
couple
different
downstream
effectors,
including
proteins
(such
as
Gi/o,
Gs,
G12,
Gq)
β-arrestins
β-arrestin
1
2)
to
mediate
diverse
cellular
physiological
responses.
Biased
signaling
allows
specific
activation
certain
pathways
from
full
range
receptors'
capabilities.
Targeting
more
variable
allosteric
sites,
which
spatially
conserved
orthosteric
represents
a
novel
approach
in
biased
GPCR
drug
discovery,
leading
innovative
strategies
targeting
GPCRs.
Notably,
emergence
cryptic
sites
on
has
expanded
repertoire
available
improved
receptor
subtype
selectivity.
Here,
we
conduct
summary
recent
progress
structural
determination
elucidate
mechanisms
induced
by
modulators.
Additionally,
discuss
means
identify
design
modulators
based
through
structure-based
design,
is
an
advanced
pharmacotherapeutic
treating
GPCR-associated
diseases.
Microbial Biotechnology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
18(1)
Published: Jan. 1, 2025
ABSTRACT
Advancing
microbiome–gut–brain
axis
science
requires
systematic,
rational
and
translational
approaches
to
bridge
the
critical
knowledge
gaps
currently
preventing
full
exploitation
of
gut
microbiome
as
a
tractable
therapeutic
target
for
gastrointestinal,
mental
brain
health.
Current
research
is
still
marked
by
many
open
questions
that
undermine
widespread
application
humans.
For
example,
lack
mechanistic
understanding
probiotic
effects
means
it
remains
unclear
why
even
apparently
closely
related
strains
exhibit
different
in
vivo.
live
microbial
psychobiotics,
consensus
on
their
adjunct
treatments
conventional
neuromodulators,
use
unmedicated
populations
or
at‐risk
cohorts
with
sub‐clinical
symptomatology
warranted.
This
missing
information
both
sides
equation
when
treating
central
nervous
system
(CNS)
conditions
makes
psychobiotic
challenging,
especially
compared
other
pharmaceutical
functional
food
approaches.
Expediting
transition
from
positive
preclinical
data
proven
benefits
humans
includes
interpreting
promises
pitfalls
animal
behavioural
assays,
well
navigating
mechanism‐informed
decision
making
select
right
microbe(s)
job.
In
this
review,
we
consider
how
these
decisions
can
be
supported
light
accrued
range
clinical
studies
across
healthy,
pathological
study
populations,
where
specific
have
been
evaluated
context
gastrointestinal
physiology,
function
behaviour.
Examples
successful,
partial
unsuccessful
translation
bench
bedside
are
considered.
We
also
discuss
developments
silico
analyses
enhanced
our
moved
towards
pinpointing
host–microbe
interactions
most
important
optimal
gut–brain
function.
Combining
assays
vitro
ex
vivo
domains
incorporating
model
organisms
prime
discovery
pipelines
promising
rationally
selected
candidates.
Cell Research,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 29, 2025
Abstract
Sleep
deficiency
is
associated
with
obesity,
but
the
mechanisms
underlying
this
connection
remain
unclear.
Here,
we
identify
a
sleep-inducible
hypothalamic
protein
hormone
in
humans
and
mice
that
suppresses
obesity.
This
cleaved
from
reticulocalbin-2
(RCN2),
name
it
Raptin.
Raptin
release
timed
by
circuit
vasopressin-expressing
neurons
suprachiasmatic
nucleus
to
RCN2-positive
paraventricular
nucleus.
levels
peak
during
sleep,
which
blunted
sleep
deficiency.
binds
glutamate
metabotropic
receptor
3
(GRM3)
of
hypothalamus
stomach
inhibit
appetite
gastric
emptying,
respectively.
Raptin-GRM3
signaling
mediates
anorexigenic
effects
via
PI3K-AKT
signaling.
Of
note,
verify
connections
between
deficiencies
sleeping
state,
impaired
release,
obesity
patients
Moreover,
carrying
an
RCN2
nonsense
variant
present
night
eating
syndrome
These
data
define
unique
food
intake
prevents
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 23, 2025
Abstract
G
protein-coupled
receptors
(GPCRs)
play
key
roles
in
physiology
and
are
central
targets
for
drug
discovery
development,
yet
the
design
of
protein
agonists
antagonists
has
been
challenging
as
GPCRs
integral
membrane
proteins
conformationally
dynamic.
Here
we
describe
computational
de
novo
methods
a
high
throughput
“receptor
diversion”
microscopy
based
screen
generating
GPCR
binding
miniproteins
with
affinity,
potency
selectivity,
use
these
to
generate
MRGPRX1
CXCR4,
GLP1R,
GIPR,
GCGR
CGRPR
antagonists.
Cryo-electron
data
reveals
atomic-level
agreement
between
designed
experimentally
determined
structures
CGRPR-bound
MRGPRX1-bound
agonists,
confirming
precise
conformational
control
receptor
function.
Our
screening
approach
opens
new
frontiers
development.
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(10), P. 4296 - 4311
Published: June 26, 2024
G
protein-coupled
receptors
(GPCRs)
are
pivotal
in
mediating
diverse
physiological
and
pathological
processes,
rendering
them
promising
targets
for
drug
discovery.
GPCRs
account
about
40%
of
FDA-approved
drugs,
representing
the
most
successful
targets.
However,
only
approximately
15%
800
human
targeted
by
market
leaving
numerous
opportunities
discovery
among
remaining
receptors.
Cell
expression
systems
play
crucial
roles
GPCR
field,
including
novel
target
identification,
structural
functional
characterization,
potential
ligand
screening,
signal
pathway
elucidation,
safety
evaluation.
Here,
we
discuss
principles,
applications,
limitations
widely
used
cell
GPCR-targeted
discovery,
function
investigation,
pharmacological
property
studies.
We
also
propose
three
strategies
constructing
genome-wide
pan-GPCR
libraries,
which
will
provide
a
powerful
platform
facilitate
study
mechanisms
evaluation,
ultimately
accelerating
process
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
9(1)
Published: Dec. 5, 2024
Abstract
Neutrophils,
the
most
abundant
type
of
granulocyte,
are
widely
recognized
as
one
pivotal
contributors
to
acute
inflammatory
response.
Initially,
neutrophils
were
considered
mobile
infantry
innate
immune
system,
tasked
with
immediate
response
invading
pathogens.
However,
recent
studies
have
demonstrated
that
versatile
cells,
capable
regulating
various
biological
processes
and
impacting
both
human
health
disease.
Cytokines
other
active
mediators
regulate
functional
activity
by
activating
multiple
receptors
on
these
thereby
initiating
downstream
signal
transduction
pathways.
Dysfunctions
in
disruptions
neutrophil
homeostasis
been
implicated
pathogenesis
numerous
diseases,
including
cancer
disorders,
often
due
aberrant
intracellular
signaling.
This
review
provides
a
comprehensive
synthesis
functions,
integrating
advancements
this
field.
Moreover,
it
examines
roles
signaling
pathways
involved
regulation
activity.
The
pathophysiology
diseases
emerging
therapeutic
approaches
targeting
them
also
elaborated.
addresses
current
limitations
within
field
research,
highlighting
critical
gaps
knowledge
warrant
further
investigation.
In
summary,
seeks
establish
multidimensional
model
regulation,
providing
new
perspectives
for
potential
clinical
applications
research.