Along the upper reaches of cell signaling loom the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). From these serpentine structures descend pathways that diverge toward varied signaling outcomes, not all of which are desirable. For example, signaling cascades triggered by small-molecule drugs may lead to several types of cancer, neurological disorders, and drug addiction. Yet where small-molecule drugs may slip up, a sure-footed nanobody may stick to the right path, advancing targeted therapies. The nanobody is derived from a llama. Discovered by scientists based at Case Western Reserve University, the nanobody targets a component of G protein known as G beta-gamma—the part that binds and efficiently activates several other signaling proteins. This kind of binding has potential therapeutic applications. Even better, with the llama-derived nanobody, this kind of binding is not accompanied by other kinds of binding that might bring about adverse side effects. Specifically, drugs based on the llama-derived ...
Original Article: Llama-Derived Nanobody May Tread Narrow Anticancer Path