UCSF

G Protein-coupled Receptors (GPCRs) make up the largest family of proteins in the human proteome. These receptors are the target of an estimated 40% of drugs, and the potential for additional therapeutics that target GPCRs is great. Here, we describe a procedure for modeling the Human Adenosine A1 Receptor, a protein for which no known crystal structure exists. This protein plays a role in many cellular processes, and may be involved in Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a human prion disease. To this end, we also describe a virtual screening procedure used to find novel ligands of the Adenosine A1 Receptor. Finally, the resultant iterative process of docking and modification of the active site of the Adenosine A1 Receptor is described.