Structural insights from G-protein-coupled receptor complexes enable the rational engineering of improved light-activated designer receptors

Abstract

Engineered signaling proteins permit precise modulation of cell signaling networks and are valuable tools for basic and translational research. In this issue of Structure, Tichy and colleagues leverage high-resolution GPCR-G protein complex structures to rationally design improved light-activated chimeric GPCRs (termed OptoXRs) with increased sensitivity and tunable signaling features.