title: Methodological advances: the unsung heroes of the GPCR structural revolution.
abstract: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are intricately involved in a diverse array of physiological processes and pathophysiological conditions. They constitute the largest class of drug target in the human genome, which highlights the importance of understanding the molecular basis of their activation, downstream signalling and regulation. In the past few years, considerable progress has been made in our ability to visualize GPCRs and their signalling complexes at the structural level. This is due to a series of methodological developments, improvements in technology and the use of highly innovative approaches, such as protein engineering, new detergents, lipidic cubic phase-based crystallization and microfocus synchrotron beamlines. These advances suggest that an unprecedented amount of structural information will become available in the field of GPCR biology in the coming years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208016, India.
authors.forename: Eshan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208016, India.
authors.forename: Punita
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208016, India.
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jaiman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208016, India.
authors.forename: Arun K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Shukla
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D011487:Protein Conformation; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled