Endocrine & Neuropharmacology

Class C G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) include receptors for neurotransmitters (e.g. GABA_B receptor), amino acids (metabotropic glutamate receptors, taste receptors), and cations (calcium-sensing receptor). We are interested in how allosteric ligands interacting with sites distinct from the primary endogenous ligands modulate class C GPCR activity at the atomic scale through to in vivo effects. The first allosteric ligand to make it into the clinic, cinacalcet (Sensipar^TM), interacts with the calcium-sensing receptor. With a better understanding of fundamental biology, we aim to improve drug discovery targeting this protein family. Our research falls into two main therapeutic areas: metabolic, and neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.