Structures of three peptide-receptor complexes of the human NPY family. The peptide ligand is shown in orange (NPY) and red (PP), the receptors in blue and violet respectively, the interaction partner in the cell is a...
Structures of three peptide-receptor complexes of the human NPY family. The peptide ligand is shown in orange (NPY) and red (PP), the receptors in blue and violet respectively, the interaction partner in the cell is a. Researchers discover molecular mechanisms of signal recognition of the neuropeptide system The human body consists of trillions of cells that constantly communicate with each other. A central role in this communication process is played by receptor proteins on the cell surface. Since they often serve as drug targets, they have been the subject of intensive research. Often there are whole families of receptors. The signal messengers as well as the receptors are very similar to each other, so it is not clear how the signals are distinguished from each other at the molecular level. Now, in a joint research project, scientists from Collaborative Research Centre 1423 at Leipzig University, the Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai have succeeded in determining high-resolution structures for three related signalling complexes that occur naturally in the body for the neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor family, thus shedding light on the "small but essential differences".
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