Biochemistry,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 3, 2025
G-protein-coupled
receptors
(GPCRs)
transmit
an
extracellular
chemical/biological
signal
across
the
cell
membrane,
stimulating
array
of
intracellular
signaling
cascades.
Canonically,
these
molecules
bind
to
endogenous
ligand
pocket
(orthosteric
pocket),
which
stabilizes
either
active
or
inactive
conformational
ensemble
receptor.
However,
recent
structural
evidence
indicates
that
small
can
mediate
protein–protein
interactions
between
GPCR
and
their
transducers.
These
are
reminiscent
molecular
glues
be
powerful
tools
for
modulating
bias.
In
this
Perspective,
we
will
investigate
current
information
available
on
how
they
modulate
We
also
examine
prospects
drug/probe
design.
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
9(1)
Published: April 9, 2024
Abstract
G
protein-coupled
receptors
(GPCRs),
the
largest
family
of
human
membrane
proteins
and
an
important
class
drug
targets,
play
a
role
in
maintaining
numerous
physiological
processes.
Agonist
or
antagonist,
orthosteric
effects
allosteric
effects,
biased
signaling
balanced
signaling,
characterize
complexity
GPCR
dynamic
features.
In
this
study,
we
first
review
structural
advancements,
activation
mechanisms,
functional
diversity
GPCRs.
We
then
focus
on
discovery
by
revealing
detailed
drug-target
interactions
underlying
mechanisms
drugs
approved
US
Food
Drug
Administration
past
five
years.
Particularly,
up-to-date
analysis
is
performed
available
structures
complexed
with
synthetic
small-molecule
modulators
to
elucidate
key
receptor-ligand
mechanisms.
Finally,
highlight
how
widespread
GPCR-druggable
sites
can
guide
structure-
mechanism-based
design
propose
prospects
designing
bitopic
ligands
for
future
therapeutic
potential
targeting
receptor
family.
Molecular Biomedicine,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
4(1)
Published: Dec. 4, 2023
G
protein-coupled
receptors
(GPCRs)
are
versatile
and
vital
proteins
involved
in
a
wide
array
of
physiological
processes
responses,
such
as
sensory
perception
(e.g.,
vision,
taste,
smell),
immune
response,
hormone
regulation,
neurotransmission.
Their
diverse
essential
roles
the
body
make
them
significant
focus
for
pharmaceutical
research
drug
development.
Currently,
approximately
35%
marketed
drugs
directly
target
GPCRs,
underscoring
their
prominence
therapeutic
targets.
Recent
advances
structural
biology
have
substantially
deepened
our
understanding
GPCR
activation
mechanisms
interactions
with
G-protein
arrestin
signaling
pathways.
This
review
offers
an
in-depth
exploration
both
traditional
recent
methods
structure
analysis.
It
presents
structure-based
insights
into
ligand
recognition
receptor
delves
deeper
canonical
noncanonical
pathways
downstream
GPCRs.
Furthermore,
it
highlights
advancements
GPCR-related
discovery
Particular
emphasis
is
placed
on
selective
drugs,
allosteric
biased
signaling,
polyphamarcology,
antibody
drugs.
Our
goal
to
provide
researchers
thorough
updated
determination,
pathway
investigation,
foundation
aims
propel
forward-thinking
approaches
that
drawing
upon
latest
selectivity,
activation,
mechanisms.
ACS Chemical Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(4), P. 854 - 867
Published: Feb. 12, 2024
Novel
synthetic
opioids
(NSOs),
including
both
fentanyl
and
non-fentanyl
analogs
that
act
as
μ-opioid
receptor
(MOR)
agonists,
are
associated
with
serious
intoxication
fatal
overdose.
Previous
studies
proposed
G-protein-biased
MOR
agonists
safer
pain
medications,
while
other
evidence
indicates
low
intrinsic
efficacy
at
better
explains
the
reduced
opioid
side
effects.
Here,
we
characterized
in
vitro
functional
profiles
of
various
NSOs
using
adenylate
cyclase
inhibition
β-arrestin2
recruitment
assays,
conjunction
application
depletion
approach.
By
fitting
concentration–response
data
to
operational
model
agonism,
deduced
affinity
for
each
Gi
protein
signaling
pathways.
Compared
reference
agonist
[d-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin,
found
several
were
more
efficacious
inhibiting
cAMP
production,
whereas
all
less
recruiting
β-arrestin2.
In
contrast,
2-benzylbenzimidazole
(i.e.,
nitazene)
highly
potent
assays.
Our
findings
suggest
high
is
a
common
property
may
underlie
their
risk
overdose,
highlighting
limitation
bias
predict
adverse
effects
opioids.
addition,
extremely
potency
many
now
infiltrating
illicit
drug
markets
further
contributes
danger
posed
public
health.
Molecular Cell,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
84(5), P. 955 - 966.e4
Published: Feb. 6, 2024
SUCNR1
is
an
auto-
and
paracrine
sensor
of
the
metabolic
stress
signal
succinate.
Using
unsupervised
molecular
dynamics
(MD)
simulations
(170.400
ns)
mutagenesis
across
human,
mouse,
rat
SUCNR1,
we
characterize
how
a
five-arginine
motif
around
extracellular
pole
TM-VI
determines
initial
capture
succinate
in
vestibule
(ECV)
to
either
stay
or
move
down
orthosteric
site.
Metadynamics
demonstrate
low-energy
binding
both
sites,
with
energy
barrier
corresponding
intermediate
stage
during
which
succinate,
associated
water
cluster,
unlocks
hydrogen-bond-stabilized
conformationally
constrained
loop
(ECL)-2b.
Importantly,
simultaneous
two
molecules
through
"sequential"
"bypassing"
mode
frequent
endpoint.
The
mono-carboxylate
NF-56-EJ40
antagonist
enters
between
TM-I
-II
does
not
unlock
ECL-2b.
It
proposed
that
occupancy
high-affinity
sites
required
for
selective
activation
by
high
local
concentrations.
Science Advances,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
10(32)
Published: Aug. 7, 2024
Artificial
intelligence
is
revolutionizing
protein
structure
prediction,
providing
unprecedented
opportunities
for
drug
design.
To
assess
the
potential
impact
on
ligand
discovery,
we
compared
virtual
screens
using
structures
generated
by
AlphaFold
machine
learning
method
and
traditional
homology
modeling.
More
than
16
million
compounds
were
docked
to
models
of
trace
amine-associated
receptor
1
(TAAR1),
a
G
protein-coupled
unknown
target
treating
neuropsychiatric
disorders.
Sets
30
32
highly
ranked
from
model
screens,
respectively,
experimentally
evaluated.
Of
these,
25
TAAR1
agonists
with
potencies
ranging
12
0.03
μM.
The
screen
yielded
more
twofold
higher
hit
rate
(60%)
discovered
most
potent
agonists.
A
agonist
promising
selectivity
profile
drug-like
properties
showed
physiological
antipsychotic-like
effects
in
wild-type
but
not
knockout
mice.
These
results
demonstrate
that
can
accelerate
discovery.