Freezing with Light: Photo-Cross-Linking-Assisted Platform Enables GPCR Deorphanization
1College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
ACS Chemical Biology
|May 10, 2026
Summary
Researchers identified the neuropeptide L-LEN as the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) ligand for GPR50. This discovery reveals a new pathway regulating energy expenditure and thermogenesis via brain-body communication.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are crucial drug targets, yet many remain 'orphan' with unknown endogenous ligands.
- Identifying these ligand-receptor pairs is essential for understanding receptor function and advancing drug discovery.
- Deorphanization is challenging due to transient, specific interactions within complex biological environments.
