Abstract
The neuronal circuitry of appetite involves a complex network of neurons consisting of neurotransmitters, hormones and their receptors. Activation of one of these receptors, 5-HT2c, helps modulate energy balance in the brain as well as reduce motivation for food seeking. There are >15 members of the 5-HT receptor family, so targeting one of these receptors is challenging as the orthosteric sites are similar. We are proposing to identify an allosteric site on 5-HT2c that could be uniquely targeted. This would 1) increase specificity of future compounds, reducing side effects and 2) achieve more fine tuned control over 5-HT2c signalling.
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