GPCR crystallography

GPCR crystallography involves determining the detailed 3D structure of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are proteins on cell surfaces that transmit signals. Scientists first stabilize and purify GPCRs, then grow crystals of these proteins. By shining X-rays through the crystals, they obtain diffraction patterns that reveal the receptor's atomic structure. Understanding the GPCR's shape helps researchers design better drugs, as these receptors are key targets for many medications. This process is complex because GPCRs are flexible and challenging to crystallize, but advancements have made it possible to visualize their structures at atomic resolution.