British Pharmacology Society 2nd Focused meeting on Cell Signalling: GPCRs have sunny days in springtime Leicester

The British Pharmacology Society recently held its 2nd Focused meeting on Cell Signalling in April 2007 at which a number of leading investigators from throughout the world presented findings that emphasized cellular and molecular aspects of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) biology. Although the presentations highlighted both in vitro and in vivo studies, there was renewed and increased attention paid to systems with physiological (or near-physiological) levels of receptor expression. Mechanisms involved in regulating receptor expression, receptor recognition and activation by different classes of drugs, and in the interaction of G-protein-coupled receptor with other molecular entities, including heterotrimeric G proteins, were major themes of the presentations. Several speakers emphasized the challenges of drug discovery in relation to G-protein-coupled receptor, as well as their continuing importance in pharmacology and therapeutics.