SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ConfometRx, a leader in G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) structural characterization and analysis, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its service offerings to include generating iterative crystal structures of new GPCR targets as well as any GPCRs whose structures have been solved using T4-lysozyme (T4-L) fusion technology, and agonist structures using antibodies or G proteins to stabilize active states. The T4-L technology was pioneered and patented by Stanford Professor and ConfometRx co-Founder, Dr. Brian Kobilka. T4-L fusion technology was developed to facilitate crystallization of GPCRs by enhancing expression and stability, and increasing polar surface area. To date, the T4-L method has been successfully applied to solve at least nine novel GPCR structures, including the beta 2 adrenergic receptor, the D3 dopamine receptor, the CXCR4 receptor, the H1 histamine receptor, the S1P1 receptor and the A2A adenosine receptor, which have been reported in Science and Nature. In addition to these published structures, T4-L technology has recently been used to crystallize the M1 muscarinic receptor in ConfometRx, as well as the M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors and two other novel GPCRs in the Kobilka lab. ConfometRx has exclusive rights to the patented T4-L technology and is engaged in collaborations with three pharmaceutical companies to solve the structures of novel GPCRs.
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Today ConfometRx announces that it will expand its services to partner with pharmaceutical companies and provide crystallography services for any GPCR that has been crystallized using T4-L technology including iterative structures with the company’s proprietary compounds for lead optimization. ConfometRx’s expertise in protein engineering, GPCR crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and other biophysical techniques, as well as in generating conformationally selective antibodies makes it an ideal partner for pharmaceutical companies focused on GPCR targets. ConfometRx invites companies to contact it to learn more about its technology and to discuss a possible collaboration.
CONTACT: Tong Sun Kobilka, 408-496-6276
SOURCE ConfometRx
