Tag: biased signaling
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How GPCR Ligand Structures Dictate Activation Levels
Understanding GPCRs: The Gatekeepers of Cellular Communication G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are essential proteins that sit on the surface of cells, acting as gatekeepers for signals entering the cell. They respond to a diverse array of external ligands—ranging from small molecules to larger peptides—and translate those external cues into intracellular actions. The central mechanism of…
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Opioid receptors in motion: new clues for safer painkillers
Understanding the moving target: mu-opioid receptors For decades, scientists have known that opioids relieve pain by binding to mu-opioid receptors in the brain. These molecular switches, when activated, set off a cascade of signals that dull the perception of pain. But the exact sequence of events inside the receptor remained murky. A recent wave of…