A new path for repurposing drugs across the membrane
A new study in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science proposes a strategy for drug discovery by repurposing ligands across different families of membrane transporters. The work suggests that certain privileged chemical scaffolds can be leveraged to target specific and previously “undruggable” pharmacological targets, moving beyond the traditional one-target-one-drug paradigm. This approach of target class repurposing could unlock new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Why it might matter to you:
This conceptual shift in ligand discovery directly parallels the challenges in targeting complex GPCR systems, including dimers, which are central to your research. The methodology of identifying privileged scaffolds that transcend traditional protein family boundaries could provide a fresh framework for probing the pharmacology of dopamine, mu-opioid, or mGlu receptor complexes. It offers a strategic tool for addressing the therapeutic recalcitrance seen in disorders like depression and substance abuse, where single-target approaches have often fallen short.
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