RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 G Protein–Coupled Receptor (GPCR) Expression in Native Cells: “Novel” endoGPCRs as Physiologic Regulators and Therapeutic Targets JF Molecular Pharmacology JO Mol Pharmacol FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 181 OP 187 DO 10.1124/mol.115.098129 VO 88 IS 1 A1 Insel, Paul A. A1 Wilderman, Andrea A1 Zambon, Alexander C. A1 Snead, Aaron N. A1 Murray, Fiona A1 Aroonsakool, Nakon A1 McDonald, Daniel S. A1 Zhou, Shu A1 McCann, Thalia A1 Zhang, Lingzhi A1 Sriram, Krishna A1 Chinn, Amy M. A1 Michkov, Alexander V. A1 Lynch, Rebecca M. A1 Overland, Aaron C. A1 Corriden, Ross YR 2015 UL http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/88/1/181.abstract AB G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of signaling receptors in the human genome, are also the largest class of targets of approved drugs. Are the optimal GPCRs (in terms of efficacy and safety) currently targeted therapeutically? Especially given the large number (∼120) of orphan GPCRs (which lack known physiologic agonists), it is likely that previously unrecognized GPCRs, especially orphan receptors, regulate cell function and can be therapeutic targets. Knowledge is limited regarding the diversity and identity of GPCRs that are activated by endogenous ligands and that native cells express. Here, we review approaches to define GPCR expression in tissues and cells and results from studies using these approaches. We identify problems with the available data and suggest future ways to identify and validate the physiologic and therapeutic roles of previously unrecognized GPCRs. We propose that a particularly useful approach to identify functionally important GPCRs with therapeutic potential will be to focus on receptors that show selective increases in expression in diseased cells from patients and experimental animals.