Search for the endogenous ligad based on the orphan receptor structure

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24659132
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General medical chemistry
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: KOBAYASHI Takuya 京都大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (20311730)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): IWATA So 京都大学, 医学研究科, 教授 (60452330)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: モノクローナル抗体 / GPCR / X線結晶構造解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are nature’s most versatile chemical sensors. There are over 600 GPCRs in the human genome and they respond to a broad spectrum of chemical entities ranging from photons, protons and calcium ions, to small organic molecules (including odorants and neurotransmitters), to peptides and glycoproteins. However, for 25% of GPCRs, endogenous ligands have not yet been identified. We would like to determine the structure of orphan receptor and search for the endogenous ligands based on these structures. To determine the structure of orphan receptor, we have tried to develop the monoclonal antibody recognizing the conformational epitope of receptor. As a result, several monoclonal antibodies recognizing the sequential epitope of orphan receptors have been screened.

Free Research Field

GPCR生化学・薬理学