Grant: Operating Grant

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are major pharmacological targets. They are primarily located at the surface of the cells and transmit intracellular messages perceived by the cell from its environment. Some of the regulatory steps involved in the life cycle of GPCRs are still poorly understood. Our laboratory is identifying new proteins and pathways that participate in the regulation of these receptors. The present proposal will focus on the prostaglandin D2 receptor (DP) which we showed before to be involved in bone formation. Paradoxically, our work has showed that DP is largely retained intracellularly and targeted for degradation. We thus believe that, by identifying the proteins that interact with DP and partake in its intracellular retention and degradation, and by designing molecules that can intervene in these interactions, we will be able to develop strategies of therapeutic intervention to promote DP expression and function, thereby favor bone formation. These molecules may have potential benefits in bone formation for the treatment of bone diseases such a osteoporosis, arthritis, and fracture repair that affect a significant fraction of the Canadian population, particularly women.