The structure and function of G protein-coupled receptors

Membrane proteins are gatekeepers of cellular function with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that largest membrane protein family. This thesis describes the integrated application of study of GPCR structure with detailed molecular pharmacology and analytical pharmacological analysis of GPCRs and ligands to evolve our understanding of how activators differentially modulate GPCR function. This work is important for current and future drug discovery that targets this family of receptor proteins.