Research Projects

Incretin hormones, particularly Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1), regulate blood sugar levels. GLP1R, a member of the G protein-coupled (GPCR) superfamily, mediates its action and is linked to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Defects in GLP1R can lead to cardiometabolic problems and diabetes. GLP1R is a potential target for novel drug discovery against obesity and Type 2 diabetes. GLP1R initiates signaling through G proteins and β-arrestins, which show a bifurcated signaling response. This information is clinically relevant, as current pharmacological and physiological studies overlook this transducer response. To address this, researchers will use multiple approaches, including biochemical, pharmacological, and cellular data, to establish β-arrestins signaling outcomes. They will also identify finer details like conformation identity of β-arrestins bound GLP1R and the contribution of each isoform arrestin mediated outcomes. The study will have significant implications for designing safer and better drugs for obesity and diabetes, as well as establishing a framework to understand biased responses in GPCRs.