Unlocking solute carriers for the biological's revolution

Membrane proteins compose about one-third of all human proteins and exert a wide range of important physiological and homeostatic functions. The G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) family is the largest family of membrane proteins (800 members), followed by ion channels and solute carrier transporters (SLCs) (both about 400 members). While 30% and 18% of currently approved small molecule drugs target GPCRs and ion channels respectively, only less than 0.5% target SLCs. Currently, intensified research is disclosing the full potential of SLCs as novel drug targets. With this proposal, we will generate nanobodies against a highly therapeutically relevant SLC and validate them in vivo in a cancer model. In addition, we will develop an innovative high throughput screening platform that should allow to readily identify SLC modifying nanobodies in the future for other SLCs.