26 August 2025
GPR149, an orphan G-protein coupled receptor, might be a promising therapeutic target for psychiatric and obesity-related disorders. Despite its conserved expression across mammalian species, its physiological and functional roles remain poorly understood. Notably, GPR149 is predominantly expressed in the brain, with high levels in regions such as the basal ganglia, which regulate motivation, emotion, and impulsivity—key pathways implicated in psychiatric disorders. Additionally, its expression in feeding-regulating centers, including the hypothalamus and dorsal vagal complex, suggests a potential role in food intake and body weight regulation, making it potentially relevant to obesity treatment strategies.
However, scientific progress has been limited by the absence of knowledge regarding GPR149’s endogenous ligand and in-depth molecular characterization. While knockout mouse studies have provided preliminary insights, its broader role in psychiatric and obesity-related behaviors remains unexplored.
To deepen our understanding of GPR149’s impact on these behaviors, we invite with our opnMe call scientific experts to submit their research proposals addressing the following question:
Using suitable model systems, how would you propose to elucidate and validate the molecular role of GPR149 in symptoms related to mental health and obesity?
Eligible approaches may include studying GPR149’s intracellular signaling pathways, its roles in specific brain regions, and mechanisms regulating its expression. Identifying its endogenous ligand and modulating its expression in relevant brain areas to assess behavioral effects on feeding, motivation, emotion, and impulsivity could provide critical insights into its therapeutic potential. The Neuroscience & Mental Health and Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Disease Discovery Research teams at Boehringer Ingelheim will review the submissions and selected proposals will receive funding of up to 250,000 Euros per year for a maximum of two years, enabling collaborative research to advance understanding of GPR149’s role in these disorders.
Submit your ideas now, as your proposals can only be accepted if they arrive by October 9, 2025, 11:59 pm PST.
No registration required
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About our opn2EXPERTS question:
Using suitable model systems, how would you propose to elucidate and validate the molecular role of GPR149 in symptoms related to mental health and obesity? With ambitious questions such as this, we share precisely formulated scientific questions with the research community as part of our opn2EXPERTS program. Together with winning teams, we intend to explore novel solutions for discovery research that will ultimately benefit the needs of patients.
About opnMe:
opnMe.com, the open innovation portal of Boehringer Ingelheim, fosters science and collaboration initiatives in areas of high unmet medical need. As part of our first pillar, the “Molecules to Order”, we share well-characterized tool compounds free of charge with no IP strings attached. These are complemented by “Molecules for Collaboration” where we offer access to unprecedented, often unpublished molecules, together with an attractive funding package. Interested scientists are invited to submit testable research hypotheses with these assets in novel diseases or combinations. With our “opn2EXPERTS” program, we enlist scientific advice on key biologic issues to fuel further drug discovery and deliver novel solutions that benefit unmet patient needs. Our opn2TALENTS PostDoc grants provide an opportunity for high-caliber talents to pitch their scientific approaches for well-defined research questions to conduct their research at one of our discovery research sites.