Annette Gilchrist

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest receptor family in the human genome and over the years they have proven themselves to be druggable targets. Binding of a ligand leads to subsequent activation of the GPCR with conformational changes that allow G protein coupling and ultimately cellular response driven through a variety of second messenger systems. Most GPCRs can couple to more than one G protein, and different agonists can produce selective G protein activation. Which G protein(s) gets activated by the GPCR ultimately determines the downstream cellular responses that occur (such as proliferation). y research focuses on functionally selective modulators of GPCRs in the context of cancer. My primary receptors of interest are the chemokine receptors CCR1 and CCR5.

August 2013