G Protein-coupled Receptors (eBook)

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane proteins that
transduce a vast array of extracellular signals into intracellular
reactions ranging from cell-cell communication processes to
physiological responses. They play an important role in a variety
of diseases from cancer and diabetes, to neurodegenerative,
inflammatory and respiratory disorders. GPCRs are therefore of
utmost interest in drug development: over half of all prescription
drugs currently on the market act by targeting these receptors
directly or indirectly.

G Protein-coupled Receptors: Molecular
Pharmacology provides a clear summary of the current
knowledge in this fast-evolving field. The book sets out with an
introduction to signalling molecules and their receptors, and an
overview of the technical approaches used to investigate these
interactions. Structural, functional and especially pharmacological
aspects of GPCRs are then discussed in more detail and much
attention is devoted to the analysis and interpretation of
experimental data. The now widespread use of recombinant cell lies,
receptor mutants and related artifices in drug research is
critically evaluated. Special attention is also devoted to topical
but often poorly understood concepts, such as insurmountable
antagonism, inverse agonism and allosteric interactions.

By combining general information with the major state-of-the-art
concepts in GPCR-research, this outstanding book equips
the reader with the necessary background for understanding and
critically evaluating the current literature.

Written by two experts from academia and industry, G
Protein-coupled Receptors: Molecular Pharmacology offers a
unique view of academic and applied approaches aiming to reveal new
ideas in pharmaceutical research.

The book is of interest to anyone involved in drug development
and preclinical research and those who need to function within
multi-disciplinary teams in the pharmaceutical industry: from
investigators to product managers or clinicians who seek to have a
broad mechanistic understanding of drug-receptor interactions. It
is also an invaluable resource for final year undergraduate and
postgraduate students in pharmacology and cell and molecular
biology.