Current status of drug receptor nomenclature: receptor closure? The role of NC-IUPHAR

Abstract

Pharmacology is at a crucial point, because we now have access to sequences, by homology, for almost all of the receptors in the human genome. The International Union of Pharmacology Committee on Receptor Nomenclature and Drug Classification (NC-IUPHAR) has set up > 50 subcommittees to define the receptors, and their recommendations, when approved, are posted on a website freely available to all scientists. A major new effort is to functionally define relevant receptor polymorphisms. This initiative is open to all, and works only because of the freely given voluntary effort of scientists.

• G-protein-coupled receptors
• homology
• IUPHAR
• nuclear receptors
• polymorphisms
• receptor classification