Joshua Levitz

MRAP2 potentiates GPCR signaling by conserved mechanisms that are disrupted by obesity-associated genetic variants

This study identifies shared molecular mechanisms by which MRAP2 regulates GPCR signaling and shows that obesity-associated variants disrupt these mechanisms.

A one-step protocol to generate impermeable fluorescent HaloTag substrates for in situ live cell application and super-resolution imaging

The paper introduces a one-step method to create cell-impermeable fluorescent HaloTag substrates for live-cell imaging and super-resolution microscopy.

The MRAP2 accessory protein directly interacts with melanocortin-3 receptor to enhance signaling

This study shows MRAP2 interacts with MC3R to enhance its signaling, affecting energy homeostasis and obesity risk.

An opioid efficacy switch for reversible optical control of peripheral analgesia

This paper introduces a photoswitchable opioid agonist that enables optical control of peripheral analgesia with reduced side effects.

Structural Diversity and Dynamics of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor/Beta-Arrestin Coupling

This study investigates the structural and dynamic diversity of metabotropic glutamate receptor/beta-arrestin coupling using biophysical and structural methods, revealing new coupling stoichiometries and interaction mechanisms.

Elevating levels of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol blunts opioid reward but not analgesia

This study shows that increasing 2-AG levels reduces opioid reward but not analgesia in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for pain treatment.

An epigenetic barrier sets the timing of human neuronal maturation

Chromatin regulators including EZH2, EHMT1/2, and DOT1L establish an epigenetic barrier in human neural progenitors that poises maturation genes and sets the protracted pace of cortical neuron maturation.

Projection-Targeted Photopharmacology Reveals Distinct Anxiolytic Roles for Presynaptic mGluR2 in Prefrontal- and Insula-Amygdala Synapses

The paper uses photopharmacology to show that mGluR2 in specific brain projections regulates distinct anxiety-related behaviors.

Combined small molecule treatment accelerates timing of maturation in human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons

This study identifies a drug cocktail that accelerates maturation of hPSC-derived neurons and other cell types through pharmacological intervention.

Profiling the proximal proteome of the mu opioid receptor identifies novel regulators of receptor signaling and trafficking

The paper identifies novel regulators of mu opioid receptor signaling and trafficking using proximity labeling and proteomics.

Differences in interactions between transmembrane domains tune the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors

This study identifies subtype-specific differences in transmembrane domain interactions that influence metabotropic glutamate receptor activation.