University of Queensland Researchers Unlock New Drug Target for Neurodegenerative Disease Therapies
University of Queensland (UQ) researchers have developed a novel drug molecule that targets the hard-to-study immune receptor C5aR2, opening new possibilities for treatments targeting neurodegenerative diseases such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
In collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, The University of Tokyo and Sungkyunkwan University, the research team identified the molecular structure and signalling behaviour of C5aR2, a receptor found on many immune cells.
The team developed R8Y, a molecule designed to selectively bind with C5aR2, enabling detailed analysis of its function.
The research revealed that C5aR2 operates differently from most immune receptors, as it does not interact with G proteins.
This discovery provides important insights into why the receptor has been challenging to target and offers a pathway for developing more precise anti-inflammatory therapies.
Using structural modelling techniques, researchers examined how R8Y interacts with C5aR2, creating a foundation for designing next-generation drugs for inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions.
The team is now advancing research to develop improved therapies for MND, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Supported by FightMND and a National Health and Medical Research Council grant, the breakthrough highlights the value of international collaboration.
In accelerating innovative drug discovery and developing safer treatment approaches for complex neurological disorders.
