Globally, cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death, and high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major factor attributed to these conditions. In a new study, published in the current issue of the journal Scientific Reports, researchers from Arizona State Universitys Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, in collaboration with Mayo Clinic, Rochester, unveiled the structure of pGC-A. The illustration showed a part of the pGC-A receptor, also known as the extracellular domain, which protrudes from the cell surface of the cardiovascular system. The new research offered a peek at a full-length receptor that will play an important role in the development of new drugs to treat hypertension and other afflictions.

pGC-A is a membrane receptor that acts like a thermostat and sensitively adjusts the bodys blood pressure to maintain a homeostatic balance essential for health. The receptor acts not only as a vital cellular component for vascular and cardiac homeostasis, but also plays an important role in lipid metabolism and is implicated in cancer development. This protein receptor sits atop cardiovascular cells, acting as a conduit for messages that are transmitted when specific hormone molecules bind with them. The research included the isolation and crystallization of the protein receptor, and showing that these crystals diffract X-rays—two critical steps essential to solving the structure. Dr. Debbie Hansen, co-author, and Biodesign researcher stated that finding the structures of unique classes of membrane proteins often requires years of effort and is built on similar critical advances.

Dr. John Burnett, from the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, has been working to develop candidate molecules for new anti-hypertensive drugs based on the structure of the pGC-A receptor. He added that designing drugs to target membrane proteins requires a highly detailed blueprint of the receptor structure, usually with atomic-scale resolution. In the case of pGC-A, the binding molecules are peptide hormones produced by cells of the cardiovascular system. He further added that the pGC-A membrane receptor exists in three primary forms. He stated that the heart is not only a pump but an endocrine gland that produces a highly beneficial hormone called an atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). He explained that this hormone plays an important role in blood pressure, kidney function, and overall metabolic balance. 

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/cell-receptor-crucial-for-cardiovascular-health-research-101659762137728.html )