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Mol. Pharmacol. 74 (3): 541-543

Copyright © 2008 by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Perspective

Seven Transmembrane Receptors as Nature's Prototype Allosteric Protein: De-emphasizing the Geography of Binding

Terry P. Kenakin

GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Abstract: The article in this issue by Redka et al. (p. 834) illustrates some interesting interactions between classified orthosteric (bind to the same recognition site as endogenous agonist) and allosteric (bind to a different site) ligands. Of particular interest are the methods used to deal with an obfuscating factor in these kinds of studies, namely the propensity of seven transmembrane receptors to form dimers and thus demonstrate allosteric effects through binding at the orthosteric site. The judicious use of kinetics to detect and quantify allosteric action also is demonstrated. The various unique properties of allosteric modulators are discussed in the context of the increasing prevalence of allosteric ligands as investigational drugs.

Received for publication June 25, 2008. Accepted for publication June 26, 2008.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Terry Kenakin, Department of Biological Reagents and Assay Development, GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, 5 Moore Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. E-mail: terry.p.kenakin{at}gsk.com

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