A group of researchers from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute has made a significant discovery in the field of pharmacology. They have identified new pathways through which drugs can interact with cells, focusing on previously unknown structures called “secret doors” found in cell membrane proteins. This finding could change the way pharmacological treatments are designed and applied, allowing for more precise modification of cellular behavior.
The results of this research have been published in the journal Nature Communications and involved collaboration with research centers from thirteen countries, including Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and the United States. The study is based on computer simulations that have reached an unprecedented level of detail. Thanks to this technology, scientists have been able to observe, at an atomic level and in real time, how cell membrane lipids interact with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the cell.
Dr. Jana Selent, the research group coordinator, believes that this breakthrough “provides new doors for drugs to modify proteins that regulate cellular activity.” GPCRs are crucial targets for many drugs, as around 34% of FDA-approved drugs in the United States target these receptors. The information obtained on the specific locations of action of these drugs promises to accelerate the development of new treatments.
Despite this progress, the study has revealed hidden accesses that can only be identified through computer simulations. This indicates a considerable potential for the creation of innovative therapies that could improve the treatment of various diseases.
Dr. David Aranda, a postdoctoral researcher and lead author of the study, highlighted that these findings allow us to go beyond traditional methods. This would not only facilitate the creation of more selective drugs but could also reduce the side effects associated with treatments. The information obtained will be available to any laboratory interested in developing new drugs or improving existing ones, marking a significant advancement in the fight against various pathologies.
The research is ongoing, and the scientists at the Hospital del Mar are committed to continuously exploring the mechanisms that proteins use to modulate cellular function, opening the door to future innovations in the field of medicine.
via: MiMub in Spanish