Fiona Murray
Many mediators, such as hormones, control the functions of cells throughout the body by interacting with proteins present on the cell surface, called G protein-coupled receptors. G protein-coupled receptors allow cells to communicate with their environment. The accessibility of these proteins on the cell surface and their distribution in specific tissues make them excellent drug targets: >30% of current approved drugs target G protein-coupled receptors. My team are currently interested in a particular G protein-coupled receptor, namely GPR75, which is found on pancreatic beta cells and thus may have a role in insulin release and maintaining normal blood sugar. However, no mediator has yet been identified that interacts with GPR75. The aim of our research is to determine if GPR75 production is altered in models of diabetes and uncover its function in the beta cell. Moreover, we will develop an assay to identify novel compounds that interact with this receptor and may become new drugs. Investigating GPR75 may advance understanding and even treatment of type 2 diabetes.