Structural SERT-ainty

The publication this month of the crystal structure of the serotonin transporter unquestionably marked a technical watershed, and solved long-asked questions about why similar compounds bind the protein differently.

Historically, the target revolutionized depression, spawning the development of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - most notably Eli Lilly and Co.'s Prozac fluoxetine - which became household names and destigmatized the disease. But while one third of patients don't respond to SSRIs, and some in the field think the science of depression has moved on, the paper's authors are optimistic the findings can spur new drug development and could be extended to other fields. ...