receptor
Definition
A receptor is a specialized protein molecule, typically located on cell surfaces or within cells, that selectively binds to specific signaling molecules (ligands) such as hormones, neurotransmitters, or drugs. Upon ligand binding, receptors undergo conformational changes that trigger intracellular signaling cascades, ultimately leading to cellular responses. Receptors are classified into major families including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), ion channel receptors, and nuclear receptors. They serve as critical mediators of cell communication and are primary targets for approximately 40% of all modern therapeutic drugs. Understanding receptor-ligand interactions, downstream signaling pathways, and receptor regulation is fundamental to drug discovery, disease mechanism research, and precision medicine approaches.
Visualize receptor in Nodes Bio
Researchers can map receptor-centered networks to visualize ligand-receptor binding interactions, downstream signaling cascades, and cross-talk between pathways. Network analysis reveals how receptor activation propagates through protein-protein interactions, identifies key signaling nodes, and uncovers potential drug targets. Nodes Bio enables exploration of receptor families, their tissue-specific expression patterns, and connections to disease phenotypes through integrated pathway visualization.
Visualization Ideas:
- Receptor-ligand binding networks showing specificity and affinity relationships
- Multi-level signaling cascades from receptor activation to transcriptional responses
- Receptor family phylogenetic networks with structural and functional annotations
Example Use Case
A pharmaceutical team investigating resistance mechanisms to EGFR inhibitors in lung cancer uses network visualization to map the complete EGFR receptor signaling network. They identify that resistant tumors activate alternative RTK receptors (MET, HER3) that bypass EGFR blockade. By visualizing receptor cross-talk networks and downstream convergence on PI3K/AKT pathways, they discover combination therapy opportunities. The network analysis reveals that co-targeting EGFR and MET receptors effectively blocks compensatory signaling, leading to a novel dual-inhibitor strategy now entering clinical trials.