Ciliary Targeting of GPCRs.
The human genome encodes around one thousand G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which collectively constitute the most common pharmacological target in human clinical practice. About half of these GPCRs are olfactory receptors, which localize to the cilia of olfactory sensory neurons. Also ciliary are the opsins (the GPCRs through which we see the world around us), which localize to the cilia of retinal rods and cones. In addition, at least 30 other mammalian GPCRs localize to cilia in cell types such as brain neurons, pancreatic beta cells, neural stem cells, or fibroblasts, to name a few. These ciliary GPCRs are associated with multiple diseases including, among others, obesity, cancer, and depression.
One of the central topics in our laboratory is the use of site-directed mutagenesis to identify ciliary localization signals (CLSs) in the sequence of ciliary GPCRs, and the subsequent characterization of the mechanisms of action of these CLSs (Barbeito et al. 2021). We are currently doing that for a ciliary GPCR that works in hypothalamic neurons to control food intake. Please contact us if you are interested in a TFM along these lines.
Recent lab publications:
Search "Garcia-Gonzalo FR" in Pubmed for a more extensive list.
Francesc García Gonzalo y Raquel Martín Morales.
Correo electrónico: francesc.garcia@uam.es.
Departamento de Bioquímica (UAM).
Número de plazas ofertadas: 1.
Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Calle del Arzobispo Morcillo 4. 28029 Madrid. Tel.: +34 914 975 486. Correo electrónico: informacion.medicina@uam.es
