WG 3

WG3 Leader

ORKUN CEVHEROĞLU

WG3 Substitute Leader

Jan Weber

Physiology and clinical relevance

In order to achieve a comprehensive picture of the importance of aGPCRs, it is indispensable to map and analyze existing variants/mutations in human and their potential disease associations and further, to understand the consequences of aGPCR alterations under physiological conditions.

Thus, members of WG3 are focusing their efforts on the following aspects: 1. To elucidate known human aGPCR variants in order to identify gene signatures related to aGPCRs as diagnostic tools for patient stratification. 2. To gain information on the impact of alterations/mutations in aGPCRs in various physiological contexts. 3. To compile a better translational understanding of aGPCRs and an evaluation for their ‘druggability’. Receptor-specific antibodies and nanobodies as well as other compounds targeting several aGPCRs are tested for research and diagnostics. 4. To provide a comprehensive dataset on disease-association and potential causative effects of distinct aGPCR variants which have to be taken into account for drug validation.

The activities of WG3 members include the study of available physiological models and different disease models, which forms the basis for disease identification in human cohorts as well as for concerted efforts to modulate receptor function in a first attempt for pharmacotherapy. Further, a list of aGPCRs potentially serving as novel drug targets that could treat diseases and increase the wellness of people will be compiled.

Working Groups