Ligand-Induced Allosteric Changes: Mechanisms of GPCR Activation
摘要
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest and most versatile family of membrane receptors. Ligand-induced allosteric changes cause GPCR activation, governing how structural rearrangements propagate across the seven-transmembrane helices to initiate binding with the G-protein or β-arrestin. This chapter provides an integrated overview of emerging mechanisms that define GPCR allostery, highlighting orthosteric ligands, allosteric modulators, and biased agonists that stabilize distinct receptor conformations. We further examine several microswitches, like DRY, NPxxY, and PIF motifs, that transmit ligand-specific information through coordinated local and global structural transitions. Insights from computational modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and systemic pharmacology provides a better understanding of receptor activation enabling rational design of drugs which binds at allosteric sites and induces signaling bias with improve therapeutic potential and improved specificity. By combining structural, biophysical, and functional perspectives, this chapter highlights the role of GPCR in drug development and create more precise, targeted for complex GPCR-linked signaling pathways.