Premium
Insider access: pepducin symposium explores a new approach to GPCR modulation
Author(s) -
Miller Jacquelyn,
Agarwal Anika,
Devi Lakshmi A.,
Fontanini Kellen,
Hamilton James A.,
Pin JeanPhilippe,
Shields Denis C.,
Spek C. Arnold,
Sakmar Thomas P.,
Kuliopulos Athan,
Hunt III Stephen W.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05326.x
Subject(s) - g protein coupled receptor , superfamily , pharmacophore , insider , drug discovery , computational biology , function (biology) , receptor , biology , neuroscience , signal transduction , bioinformatics , microbiology and biotechnology , political science , biochemistry , law
The inaugural Pepducin Science Symposium convened in Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 8–9, 2009 provided the opportunity for an international group of distinguished scientists to present and discuss research regarding G protein–coupled receptor‐related research. G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are, arguably, one of the most important molecular targets in drug discovery and pharmaceutical development today. This superfamily of membrane receptors is central to nearly every signaling pathway in the human body and has been the focus of intense research for decades. However, as scientists discover additional properties of GPCRs, it has become clear that much is yet to be understood about how these receptors function. Everyone agrees, however, that tremendous potential remains if specific GPCR signaling pathways can be modulated to correct pathological states. One exciting new approach to this challenge involves pepducins: novel, synthetic lipopeptide pharmacophores that modulate heptahelical GPCR activity from inside the cell membrane.