| 会長招聘講演 |
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| 3L3
Searching a novel neurotransmitter/hormone through G-protein coupled receptor：Where now and where next?
Saito Yumiko
Lab Behav Neurosci, Grad Sch Int. Arts ＆ Sci, Hiroshima Univ.
The G protein-coupled receptor（GPCR）superfamily includes approximately 1000 seven-transmembrane receptors that are involved in diverse physiological functions and many diseases. GPCRs are the most successful targets of all modern medicine, and -40% of marketed pharmaceuticals target human GPCRs. However, the endogenous ligands of some 80 GPCRs remain unidentified, leaving the natural functions of those GPCRs in doubt. These are the so-called orphan GPCRs, a great source of drug targets. Because of tremendous efforts toward deorphanizing GPCRs, striking successes such as ghrelin have been achieved, and greater understanding of many physiological responses has resulted from this success. Many GPCRs still remain to be deorphanized, but the rate of novel neurotransmitter/hormone discovery has dramatically slowed down in recent years. In this respect, I’ll show you the reasons why the progress is very difficult, then, discuss the current approaches to overcome the hurdles in the coming years. | | | |
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