New research with Salipro® decodes neuroactive steroid interactions with ρ1 GABAA receptors for better therapies

In a recent study published in Nature Communications, Erik Lindahl and his team at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology used Salipro® to reveal how neuroactive steroids—β-estradiol and pregnenolone sulfate—inhibit ρ1 GABAA receptors, paving the way for potential new treatments for visual, sleep, and cognitive disorders.

By reconstituting the receptors into Salipro® nanoparticles, the researchers generated  five cryo-EM structures and uncovered key findings:

• Distinct binding sites for β-estradiol and pregnenolone sulfate 

• Unique inhibitory mechanisms that could guide precise drug design

 These insights provide valuable 3D perspectives on how these steroids interact with the receptor and open new pathways for developing more targeted and effective drug treatments for neurological diseases. 

We are excited to see our Salipro® technology enabling such innovative research and contributing to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. Congratulations to the research team for their outstanding work!

Find the full study here: C. Fan, J. Cowgill, et al., Divergent mechanisms of steroid inhibition in the human ρ1 GABAA receptor. Nat. Commun. 15, 7795 (2024)