orphan receptors

Orphan receptors are a type of protein found on cells that act as sensors or switches, helping cells respond to signals. Unlike other receptors that are well-understood because their activating molecules are known, orphan receptors lack identified natural ligands (activators). Scientists study them because they may play crucial roles in health and disease, and discovering their functions could lead to new therapies. Essentially, orphan receptors are like unknown keys that may unlock important processes within the body, but researchers are still working to understand what opens them and how they influence cell behavior.