The IUPHAR receptor database of G Protein-coupled receptors

Edward M. Rosser1, Rebecca A. Hills1, Anthony J. Harmar1 and NC-IUPHAR2 1Centre for Neuroscience Research, University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK. 2International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology Committee on Receptor Nomenclature and Drug Classification.

The sequencing of the human genome has provided pharmacologists with unprecedented opportunities for the development of new drugs and for an enhanced understanding of the mechanisms of action of existing drugs. The success of this endeavour requires that genomic sequences be accurately annotated with in-depth pharmacological information. Working on behalf of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) we have developed an online database to address this issue.

The database contains information on 152 G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) grouped into 58 families. For each family there is an introductory section providing background information and each receptor has a dedicated page that contains pharmacological, chemical, genomic, functional and anatomical information. Data from studies on human, mouse and rat receptors are included and referenced with links to the primary literature in PubMed. Links to other databases such as OMIM, Genecards, Entrez Gene, Swiss-Prot and PubChem are included. A curated list of all the liganded and orphan GPCRs annotated in the human genome (excluding sensory receptors and pseudogenes) is provided together with their official nomenclature and receptor code (Foord et al., 2005; Humphrey et al., 1988). It is planned that information on all (~225) liganded GPCRs annotated in the human genome should be accessible by the end of 2006. All data submitted to the database is peer reviewed by NC-IUPHAR before publication.

The database supports heterodimeric GPCR complexes (e.g. GABAB) as well as GPCR-RAMP complexes (i.e. calcitonin receptor family). Users are able to sort ligand data by name or by potency. Each ligand’s selectivity can be assessed by displaying a table of its affinities for all other receptors for which data is available. A search facility allows users to query the database either by field (e.g. ligand name, tissue distribution, physiological function) or by using a combination of fields thereby enabling users to discover novel patterns and relationships in the data.

The IUPHAR receptor database is the first authoritative database in the public domain to integrate pharmacological, chemical, genomic, functional and anatomical information on GPCRs. It is hoped that the database will be a valuable teaching resource as well as a definitive source of information for pharmacologists in academia and industry worldwide.


Foord. S.M., et al. (2005) Pharmacol. Rev., 57, 279-288.
Humphrey, P.P., et al. (1988) Pharmacol. Rev. 50, 271-277.

We thank UNESCO (through the ICSU Grants Programme), GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Servier and Wyeth for their support.