Breakthrough discovery in obesity treatment

The study, published in the journal Science on March 25, is the work of scientists at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), the Center for Research in Membrane Proteins using Cryo-EM microscopy technique. CCeMMP) of the Australian Research Council (ARC) together with Monash University.

In the study, the scientists determined exactly how a potential class of obesity drugs called DACRA (dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists) activate different receptors in the body. Previously, the process of receptor activation was poorly understood, and this has limited progress in clinical trials of the DACRA class of weight loss drugs.

Speaking to the press, Professor Patrick Sexton at Monash University and Director of CCeMMP said that the study results open new opportunities in the design and development of more effective DACRA therapies for those with sufferer overweight, obese and metabolic disorder.

Meanwhile, MIPS structural biology expert Jason Cao said the groundbreaking discovery was the result of research using an advanced technology known as cold electron microscopy (cryo-EM). ).

He stated: “To really understand how obesity drugs work, we need to visualize in detail at the molecular level how different model peptides bind to each of the four target receptors. different”.

According to him, cryo-EM allows scientists to “capture the molecular details of the interactions that drive activity” along with “information about protein dynamics important for selectivity and function.” .

The researchers said they were surprised by their findings because it was widely believed that “the molecular structure of the amylin receptors determines how the peptides behave”. In fact, however, the researchers found “significant differences in the structure and dynamics of individual receptors when binding to different peptides”.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, by 2025, about 167 million people around the world, both adults and children, are at risk of being overweight or obese, affecting their health.