Single-Molecule Insights into GPCR Dynamics

Portrait of Prof. Rajan Lamichhane, guest speaker; headshot of man in blue shirt
Date & Time:
Wed, Nov 4 2026, 11:35am - 12:55pm
Location:
iSTEM Building 2, Room 1218

G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane proteins in the human genome and play an essential role in signal transduction. These receptors bind a wide range of extracellular ligands, including hormones, neurotransmitters, nucleotides, peptides, and undergo conformational changes in their seven transmembrane domains to activate intracellular signaling pathways. Given their central role in many human physiological processes, GPCRs are significant targets for pharmaceutical drug development, with over 35% of currently marketed drugs targeting them. Despite their importance in human health, understanding the molecular dynamics of receptor-ligand interactions remains challenging due to technical limitations. To address this, we use single-molecule fluorescence (SMF) spectroscopy to gain insights into the dynamics of GPCRs upon interacting with distinct ligands. SMF allows us to observe individual receptor molecules and their behaviors in real time, thereby revealing valuable information about the structural changes and dynamic processes associated with receptor activation. Our studies revealed a slow, reversible conformational exchange among multiple distinct fluorescence emission states. These transitions predominantly followed a specific sequence, with the exchange between inactive and active-like conformations occurring through an intermediate state(s).

Type of Event:
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Prof. Rajan Lamichhane
Department:
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Learn more about Prof. Lamichhane and his work https://bcmb.utk.edu/people/rajan-lamichhane/