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GPCR Ligand Specificity

Meaning

GPCR ligand specificity refers to the precise, molecular ability of a particular signaling molecule, or ligand, to selectively bind and activate one specific type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) over the vast array of other receptors. This high degree of selectivity is crucial in endocrinology and pharmacology because GPCRs constitute the largest family of cell-surface receptors, mediating signals from a wide range of hormones and neurotransmitters. Optimal specificity ensures that a single chemical messenger elicits the correct, targeted physiological response without causing undesirable off-target effects.