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Atomic-level mapping of receptor protein reveals potential drug targets for diabetes and obesity

Scientists have unlocked new details on important receptor proteins—promising targets for the creation of novel drugs for metabolic conditions ranging from diabetes to obesity and inflammatory disorders.

The today in Nature and led by the University of Glasgow, Queens University Belfast and the University of Pittsburgh—describes "atomic level structures" of an important receptor protein in a complex with three different activators, all of which interact and produce their effects in distinct ways.

The researchers believe the new, detailed information on these protein complexes could greatly assist in the discovery of new treatments.

By harnessing and combining the power of structural biology, computational chemistry, pharmacology and cell signaling, the researchers looked at a receptor normally activated by the short-chain fatty acids that are made by the fermentation of fiber in the diet by "good" gut bacteria and that promote positive health outcomes, from the gut to the brain.

This receptor—FFA2—is the primary receptor for short-chain fatty acids in the body, and because it is present in many immune cells, the pancreas, adipocytes and cells that generate hormones that control insulin levels and how full we feel are a promising drug target for metabolic disorders, including diabetes and obesity.

The researchers used three different chemical classes of synthetic ligands identified by the pharmaceutical industry to activate this receptor and found each to work on FFA2 in different places.

The work led the researchers to demonstrate that each of these ligands makes short-chain fatty acids function more effectively—but in different ways—allowing for the possibility of tuning this selectivity to improve pancreatic function and the roles of white blood immune cells, or control fat storage in adipose tissue.

Prof. Graeme Milligan, Gardiner Chair of Biochemistry at the University of Glasgow's School of Molecular Biosciences, said, "We are thrilled with our discoveries and believe this work could be extended to be applied across similar receptor proteins that are currently the molecular targets for 35% of clinically used medicines. These principles could have enormous reach and possibility in the world of drug discovery."

Dr. Irina Tikhonova from the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University Belfast said, "Our molecular dynamics simulations using the Kelvin-2 supercomputer at Queen's revealed how each compound uniquely changes the receptor's shape, explaining their different signaling profiles. This computational approach was essential for connecting static structures with dynamic biological functions."