• HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
BIOENGINEER.ORG
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
No Result
View All Result
Bioengineer.org
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS Science News Biology

Illuminating the path to hearing recovery

Bioengineer by Bioengineer
April 16, 2024
in Biology
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on RedditShare on Telegram

Professor Yunje Cho’s research team from the Department of Life Sciences at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH, Republic of Korea) has collaborated with Professor Kwang Pyo Kim’s group from the Department of Applied Chemistry at Kyung Hee University (KHU, ROK), Professor Vsevolod Katritch’s team from the University of Southern California (USC, USA), and Professor Carol V. Robinson from the University of Oxford (UK) to uncover the mysteries surrounding a specific receptor protein associated with hearing. Their findings have recently been published in the online edition of Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.

Schematic diagram illustrating the activation mechanism of GPR156 in comparison with representative class C GPCRs, mGlu2, and GABAB receptors

Credit: POSTECH

Professor Yunje Cho’s research team from the Department of Life Sciences at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH, Republic of Korea) has collaborated with Professor Kwang Pyo Kim’s group from the Department of Applied Chemistry at Kyung Hee University (KHU, ROK), Professor Vsevolod Katritch’s team from the University of Southern California (USC, USA), and Professor Carol V. Robinson from the University of Oxford (UK) to uncover the mysteries surrounding a specific receptor protein associated with hearing. Their findings have recently been published in the online edition of Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.

 

Deep within the inner ear lie the cochlea, responsible for sound detection, and the vestibular apparatus, which oversees balance. Cells within these regions harbor a class C orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) called GPR156. When this receptor is activated, it binds with G-proteins inside the cell, facilitating signal transmission. Unlike its counterparts, GPR156 exhibits sustained activity even in the absence of external stimuli, playing a pivotal role in upholding auditory and balance functions. Unveiling the structural and functional intricacies of GPR156 holds promise for devising interventions for individuals with congenital hearing impairments.

 

The research team employed cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis to delve into the GPR156 in the Go-free and Go-coupled states, achieving unprecedented resolution. Their investigation unearthed the mechanisms behind GPR156’s ability to maintain heightened activity sans activators.

 

Their analysis confirmed that GPR156 activation hinges on its interaction with abundant lipids in the cell membrane, triggering structural shifts upon engagement with G-proteins in the cytoplasm. Notably, unlike conventional GPCRs, GPR156 exhibits flexibility in altering the structure of the seventh helix as it traverses the cell membrane, thereby facilitating binding with G-proteins and orchestrating signal activation to detect sound. This study represents a crucial step forward in unraveling the structural dynamics and activation mechanisms of GPR156.

 

Professor Yunje Cho of POSTECH remarked, “Congenital hearing and balance impairments afflict numerous individuals. I am hopeful that our research will pave the way for groundbreaking treatments and drug discoveries to alleviate their suffering.”

 

This research received financial support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.



Journal

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology

DOI

10.1038/s41594-024-01224-7

Article Title

Constitutive activation mechanism of a class C GPCR

Article Publication Date

8-Feb-2024

Share12Tweet8Share2ShareShareShare2

Related Posts

METTL3-Driven m6A Boosts Sorafenib’s Antitumor Effects

METTL3-Driven m6A Boosts Sorafenib’s Antitumor Effects

August 27, 2025
blank

Immune Cells in the Brain: Crucial Architects of Adolescent Neural Wiring

August 26, 2025

Dihydromyricetin Shields Against Spinal Cord Injury Damage

August 26, 2025

Key Genes Identified in Nutrient Stress During Virus Infection

August 26, 2025

POPULAR NEWS

  • blank

    Breakthrough in Computer Hardware Advances Solves Complex Optimization Challenges

    148 shares
    Share 59 Tweet 37
  • Molecules in Focus: Capturing the Timeless Dance of Particles

    142 shares
    Share 57 Tweet 36
  • New Drug Formulation Transforms Intravenous Treatments into Rapid Injections

    115 shares
    Share 46 Tweet 29
  • Neuropsychiatric Risks Linked to COVID-19 Revealed

    81 shares
    Share 32 Tweet 20

About

We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Follow us

Recent News

METTL3-Driven m6A Boosts Sorafenib’s Antitumor Effects

Blood and Fluid Signatures Predict IVF Embryo Success

Enhancing 3D-Printed Biphasic Scaffolds with Hourglass Design

  • Contact Us

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
    • Home Page 2
  • News
  • National
  • Business
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.