This book concentrates on recent developments related to the application of original structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, physiology, genetics, and molecular biology as well as basic pharmacological problems that offer mechanistic insights that are generally significant for the field of pharmacology. Written by experts, chapters cover such topics as drug transport mechanisms and drug–receptor complexes. This volume offers up-to-date, expert reviews of the fast-moving field of molecular pharmacology.

Allosteric Modulation of G Protein-Coupled Receptors reviews fundamental information on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and allosteric modulation, presenting original research in the area and collectively providing a comprehensive description of key issues in GPCR allosteric modulation. The book provides background on core concepts of molecular pharmacology while also introducing the most important advances and studies in the area. It also discusses key methodologies. This is an essential book for researchers and advanced students engaged in pharmacology, toxicology and pharmaceutical sciences training and research. Many of the GPCR-targeted drugs released in the past decade have specifically worked via allosteric mechanisms. Unlike direct orthosteric-acting compounds that occupy a similar receptor site to that of endogenous ligands, allosteric modulators alter GPCR-dependent signaling at a site apart from the endogenous ligand. Recent methodological and analytical advances have greatly improved our ability to understand the signaling mechanisms of GPCRs. We now know that allostery is a common regulatory mechanism for all GPCRs and not – as we once believed – unique to a few receptor subfamilies. - Introduces background on core concepts of molecular pharmacology, including statistical analyses, non-linear regression, complex models and GPCR-dependent signal transduction as they relate to allosteric modulation - Discusses critical advances and landmark studies, including discoveries in the area of GPCR allosteric modulation, which are reviewed for their importance in positive and negative regulation, protein-protein interactions, and small molecule drug discovery - Includes key methodologies used to study allosteric modulation at the in silico, in vitro, and in vivo levels of drug discovery and characterization

Although the concept of allosterism has been known for over half a century, its application in drug discovery has exploded in recent years. The emergence of novel technologies that enable molecular-level ligand-receptor interactions to be studied in studied in unprecedented detail has driven this trend. This book, written by the leaders in this young research area, describes the latest developments in allosterism for drug discovery. Bringing together research in a diverse range of scientific disciplines, Allosterism in Drug Discovery is a key reference for academics and industrialists interested in understanding allosteric interactions. The book provides an in-depth review of research using small molecules as chemical probes and drug candidates that interact allosterically with proteins of relevance to life sciences and human disease. Knowledge of these interactions can then be applied in the discovery of the novel therapeutics of the future. This book will be useful for people working in all disciplines associated with drug discovery in academia or industry, as well as postgraduate students who may be working in the design of allosteric modulators.

This textbook provides a fresh, comprehensive and accessible introduction to the rapidly expanding field of molecular pharmacology. Adopting a drug target-based, rather than the traditional organ/system based, approach this innovative guide reflects the current advances and research trend towards molecular based drug design, derived from a detailed understanding of chemical responses in the body. Drugs are then tailored to fit a treatment profile, rather than the traditional method of ‘trial and error’ drug discovery which focuses on testing chemicals on animals or cell cultures and matching their effects to treatments. Providing an invaluable resource for advanced under-graduate and MSc/PhD students, new researchers to the field and practitioners for continuing professional development, Molecular Pharmacology explores; recent advances and developments in the four major human drug target families (G-protein coupled receptors, ion channels, nuclear receptors and transporters), cloning of drug targets, transgenic animal technology, gene therapy, pharmacogenomics and looks at the role of calcium in the cell. Current - focuses on cutting edge techniques and approaches, including new methods to quantify biological activities in different systems and ways to interpret and understand pharmacological data. Cutting Edge - highlights advances in pharmacogenomics and explores how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their response to therapeutic drugs and the potential for harmful side effects. Applied - includes numerous, real-world examples and a detailed case-study based chapter which looks at current and possible future treatment strategies for cystic fibrosis. This case study considers the relative merits of both drug therapy for specific classes of mutation and gene therapy to correct the underlying defect. Accessible - contains a comprehensive glossary, suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter and an associated website that provides a complete set of figures from within the book.

The book focuses on protein allostery in drug discovery. Allosteric regulation, ʹthe second secret of lifeʹ, fine-tunes virtually most biological processes and controls physiological activities. Allostery can both cause human diseases and contribute to development of new therapeutics. Allosteric drugs exhibit unparalleled advantages compared to conventional orthosteric drugs, rendering the development of allosteric modulators as an appealing strategy to improve selectivity and pharmacodynamic properties in drug leads. The Series delineates the immense significance of protein allostery—as demonstrated by recent advances in the repertoires of the concept, its mechanistic mechanisms, and networks, characteristics of allosteric proteins, modulators, and sites, development of computational and experimental methods to predict allosteric sites, small-molecule allosteric modulators of protein kinases and G-protein coupled receptors, engineering allostery, and the underlying role of allostery in precise medicine. Comprehensive understanding of protein allostery is expected to guide the rational design of allosteric drugs for the treatment of human diseases. The book would be useful for scientists and students in the field of protein science and Pharmacology etc.

This book highlights the important role free fatty acids (FFA) play as potential drug targets. While FFA have long been considered byproducts of cell metabolism, they are now recognized as ligands that regulate cell and tissue function via G-protein-coupled receptors. At least three receptors have been identified for which FFA appear to be the endogenous ligands.