A small protein known as p11 may play a much broader role in cellular signaling than previously thought. Researchers at Karolinska institutet have now shown that p11 interacts with numerous receptors targeted by commonly used medicines, opening new possibilities for treating conditions such as pain, inflammation and depression. The research is published in the journal Science Advances.

“Cells communicate through complicated molecular networks, with most modern drugs acting by tuning these signals on or off. Our study identifies a key protein modulating signal transduction across G protein-coupled receptors, the largest receptor family in mammals. Decoding these signaling networks is essential to advance receptor biology and drive the development of next-generation therapies,” says Marcus Saarinen at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience and the lead author of the study.