Methods of utilizing the arrestin-2/sTAM-1 complex as a therapeutic target. The methods include treating cells of a living organism to mediate an interaction between arrestin-2 and STAM-1 adapter protein molecules, wherein the interaction is characterized by the arrestin-2 adapter protein molecule directly binding to the STAM-2 adapter protein molecule. Pharmacological agents can be identified for therapeutic uses by determining whether the pharmacological agent disrupts the interaction between the arrestin-2 and STAM-1 adapter protein molecules.