The Pera lab focuses on studying how GPCR signaling and functions are regulated by arrestins and GPCR kinases (GRKs), primarily in airway smooth muscle. In particular, we are interested in how muscarinic receptor biased signaling affects airway physiology. Biased signaling refers to the ability of GPCRs to induce disparate signaling pathways when bound to certain (biased) ligands. Biased signaling is often regulated by arrestins and GRKs. Muscrinic receptors are major drivers of airway pathology and therefore understanding muscarinic biased signaling is crucial for delineating signaling pathways which drive lung disease, as well as provide novel targets for therapy.
Tonio Pera, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Contact Information

Jefferson Alumni Hall
1020 Locust Street
236 JAH
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Expertise & Research Interests
Publication
- The biased M3 mAChR ligand PD 102807 mediates qualitatively distinct signaling to regulate airway smooth muscle phenotype
- PD 102807 Induces M3 mAChR-Dependent GRK-/Arrestin-Biased Signaling in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells
- Pharmacological Management of Asthma and COPD
- Pharmacological Management of Asthma and COPD
- Specificity of NHERF1 regulation of GPCR signaling and function in human airway smooth muscle