Ligand Specificity and Activation of Receptor Guanylyl Cyclases
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11429979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant supports research to understand how receptor guanylyl cyclases (rGCs) work and how their activation affects important body processes and diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $345,650 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM166249-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11429979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with hypertension, diarrhea, retinal disorders, or other conditions linked to rGC signaling may ultimately benefit from therapies informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit may be limited in early basic science stages where results primarily advance understanding of receptor biology.
What this research studies
Scientists will study how rGCs turn GTP into cGMP, a messenger that helps control functions in many tissues. Using cryo-electron microscopy, the team will map the full-length structures of these receptors to reveal how they respond to ligands and signaling cues. The goal is to uncover molecular details that could guide new therapies for conditions such as hypertension, diarrhea, and retinal degeneration. This project is led by Shian Liu at West Virginia University and aims to overcome previous barriers posed by the receptors’ low abundance and flexibility. It will generate insights that could enable targeted drug design for human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform the development of new treatments that modulate rGC activity to treat several common diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have achieved initial full-length structures for GC-A, suggesting this approach may yield actionable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Shian — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Liu, Shian
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.