Biology Seminar - Madan Babu - Tuesday, January 24, 2023 - 4 pm

Biology Seminar - Tuesday, January 24, 2023

4 pm - Chen 100

Speaker: Madan Badu

Title: Variation in GPCR Signaling: Implications for Drug Discovery

Abstract:

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) participate in diverse physiological processes, ranging from sensory responses such as vision, taste, and smell to those regulating behavior, the immune and the cardiac system among others. The ~800 human GPCRs sense diverse signaling molecules such as hormones and neurotransmitters to allosterically activate the associated G proteins, which in turn regulate diverse intracellular signaling pathways. In this manner, GPCRs regulate virtually every aspect of human physiology. Not surprisingly, GPCRs are the targets of over onethird of all prescribed human drugs. In this presentation, I will first discuss how one could leverage data from diverse species to infer selectivity determinants of GPCR-G protein binding, which is critical to elicit the right intracellular response. I will then discuss how one could utilize data on completely sequenced genomes of over 60,000 individuals from the human population to gain insights into natural receptor variation, which can result in variable drug response. Finally, I will present our recent work wherein by studying transcriptome data from over 30 different tissues in humans, one could begin to understand how alternative splicing creates diversity in GPCR signaling components, which may contribute to tissue-specific differences in receptor signaling. Such variations not only present challenges but also opportunities for drug development. I will conclude by discussing how understanding variation at these different dimensions, i.e., across different species, among different individuals of a species, and between tissues of a species, can provide a rich source of new hypotheses with implications for personalized medicine, drug development and understanding basic receptor biology.

There are still openings for meetings - please contact Tish Cheek for scheduling.