G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), also known as seven transmembrane receptors, are the largest family of cell surface receptors in eukaryotes. There are ∼800 GPCRs in human, regulating diverse physiological processes. The GPCRs are the most intensively studied drug targets. Drugs that target GPCRs account for about a quarter of the global market share of therapeutic drugs. Therefore, to develop physiologically relevant and robust assays to search new GPCR ligands or modulators remain the major focus of drug discovery research worldwide. Early functional GPCR assays mainly depend on the measurement of G-protein-mediated second messenger generation. Recent developments in GPCR biology indicate that the signaling of these receptors is much more complex than the oversimplified classical view. The GPCRs have been found to activate multiple G proteins simultaneously and induce β-arrestin-mediated signaling. They have also been found to interact with other cytosolic scaffolding proteins and form dimer or heteromer with GPCRs or other transmembrane proteins. Here, we mainly discuss technologies focused on detecting protein-protein interactions, such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer/bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (FRET/BRET), NanoLuc binary technology (NanoBiT), Tango, etc., and their applications in measuring GPCRs interacting with various signaling partners. In the final part, we also discuss the species differences in GPCRs when using animal models to study the in vivo functions of GPCR ligands, and possible ways to solve this problem with modern genetic tools.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.00464.2021 | DOI Listing |
J Med Chem
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, Pingyuan Laboratory, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China.
A novel 2'-α-fluoro-2'-β--(fluoromethyl) purine nucleoside phosphoramidate prodrug has been designed and synthesized to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 central replication transcription complex (C-RTC, nsp12-nsp7-nsp8) catalyzed in vitro RNA synthesis was effectively inhibited by the corresponding bioactive nucleoside triphosphate (). The cryo-electron microscopy structure of the C-RTC: complex was also determined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrg Lett
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States.
We present a photocatalytic method for alkylamination of alkenes, enabling efficient C-C and C-N bond formation to construct aza-heterocycles valuable in drug discovery. Using a radical-polar crossover pathway, electron-deficient alkenes are reduced to electrophilic radicals, which react with electron-rich alkenes to form nucleophilic radicals. Oxidation of these intermediates yields carbocations, which are trapped by aza-heteroarenes to afford alkylaminated products.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Gen Virol
January 2025
Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
The complexity and speed of evolution in viruses with RNA genomes makes predictive identification of variants with epidemic or pandemic potential challenging. In recent years, machine learning has become an increasingly capable technology for addressing this challenge, as advances in methods and computational power have dramatically improved the performance of models and led to their widespread adoption across industries and disciplines. Nascent applications of machine learning technology to virus research have now expanded, providing new tools for handling large-scale datasets and leading to a reshaping of existing workflows for phenotype prediction, phylogenetic analysis, drug discovery and more.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
January 2025
Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville Campus, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
Common treatment approaches for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are associated with severe side effects due to the unfavorable biodistribution profile of potent chemotherapeutics. Here, we explored the potential of TNBC-targeting aptamer-decorated porous silicon nanoparticles (pSiNPs) as targeted nanocarriers for TNBC. A "salt-aging" strategy was employed to fabricate a TNBC-targeting aptamer functionalized pSiNP that was highly colloidally stable.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMonoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother
January 2025
Department of Immunology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
CD300a and CD300A, among the CD300 immunoglobulin (Ig)-like receptor family members in mice and humans, respectively, are expressed on myeloid cell lineage. The interaction of CD300a and CD300A with their ligands phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively, exposed on the plasma membrane of dead cells mediate an inhibitory signal in myeloid cells. We previously reported that a neutralizing antimouse CD300a monoclonal antibody (mAb) enhanced efferocytosis by macrophages and ameliorated acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in mice.
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