The ligand of a cell surface receptor is unknown. I'd like to figure out what it is. Is there any good assay to identify new ligand for a cell surface receptor? Any good ligand/receptor library to recommend?
If you're looking into computational methods, you can use virtual screening. Essentially this takes thousands of compounds from databases and assesses them for binding to your receptor using docking. I've used AutoDock Vina before for standard docking but it can also do virtual screening. It's free, fast, and has very precise results.
http://vina.scripps.edu/
There are several databases you can use, such as the ZINC database and the Cambridge Structural Database. Importantly, docking requires you have a good crystal/NMR structure of your receptor. Also, virtual screening is computationally intensive, so I'd recommend you also have access to a powerful server or computing cluster.
Hope this helps!
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