Snapshot of antidepressants at work: the structure of neurotransmitter transporter proteins

In the sweet spot: Cocrystal structures of engineered neurotransmitter transporters reveal the binding mode of commonly prescribed antidepressants, providing a basis for a rational drug design for this class of proteins. The picture shows the structure of the dopamine transporter of Drosophila melanogaster in complex with the antidepressant nortriptyline.

Structures of class B G protein-coupled receptors: prospects for drug discovery

New members in the GPCR photo gallery! Crystal structures of class B G protein-coupled receptors, which bind peptide hormones, have been solved [see picture of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (blue) and a bound allosteric nonpeptide antagonist (green)]. The structures provide a basis for a rational design of better drugs for diabetes, osteoporosis, migraine, or depression.