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Evolving pharmacology of orphan GPCR s: IUPHAR Commentary
Author(s) -
Davenport Anthony P,
Harmar Anthony J
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/bph.12339
Subject(s) - g protein coupled receptor , pharmacology , clinical pharmacology , medicine , biology , receptor
The award of the 2012 N obel P rize in C hemistry to R obert L efkowitz and B rian K obilka for their work on the structure and function of GPCR s, spanning a period of more than 20 years from the cloning of the human β 2 ‐adrenoceptor to determining the crystal structure of the same protein, has earned both researchers a much deserved place in the pantheon of major scientific discoveries. GPCR s comprise one of the largest families of proteins, controlling many major physiological processes and have been a major focus of the I nternational U nion of B asic and C linical P harmacology C ommittee on R eceptor N omenclature and D rug C lassification ( NC ‐ IUPHAR ) since its inception in 1987. We report here recent efforts by the B ritish P harmacological S ociety and NC ‐ IUPHAR to define the endogenous ligands of ‘orphan’ GPCR s and to place authoritative and accessible information about these crucial therapeutic targets online.