Drugs - new Flashcards
Name the 6 drug types of interest that interact with GPCRs
- Mescalin
- Psilocybin
- Opiates (enkephalins)
- Muscarin (Acetylcholine)
- Caffeine (Adenosine)
- Cannabis (THC)
Describe the 6 steps of the G-protein activation/deactivation cycle (can be a drawing if you want)
- Binding of hormone induces a conformational change in receptor
- Activated receptor binds Gα subunit
- Activated receptor causes conformational change in Gα’ triggering dissociation of GDP
- Binding of GTP to Gα triggers dissociation of Gα both from the receptor and from Gβγ
- Hormone dissociates from receptor; Gα binds to effector, activating it
- Hydrolysis of GTP to GDP causes Gα to dissociate from effector and re-associate with Gβγ
What is a GPCR?
- G-protein-coupled-receptor
- 7TM receptor protein
- Upon ligand binding, it sets off a G-protein activation/deactivation cycle that can set off signaling pathways
Describe a heterotrimeric G-protein
- Made up of 3 subunits:
- GTPases that hydrolyze GTP
- Molecular switches
- Gβ and Gγ = Gα must dissociate from these two to work
- Gα = The really important one
- when GTP bound (on form) will bind effector protein, leading to stimulation or inhibition of target enzyme
Name 4 ways in which G-proteins may be modified by lipids
- G αS Palmitoylation at N-terminus: Palmitic acid on cysteine thioester linkage – reversible – Palmitic acid (Palm oil)
- G αi Myristoylation and Palmitoylation – Mysteric acid (nutmeg)
- G γ Prenylation – prenyl group
- Farnesylation or geranylageranylation to CAAX-Box at C-terminus
Name 2 ways in which G-proteins may be modifed via pathogenic ADP-ribosylation
- Vibrio cholera: produces ADP-ribosyltransferase specific for Gsα
- Bordella pertussis produces ADP-ribosyltransferase specific for Gi
What is the purpose of adenylate cyclase?
also known as adenylyl cyclase
Catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP + pyrophosphate
Name 3 major pathways of cAMP signaling
- protein Kinase A (PKA) activation
- -Regulation of ion channels
- -Cross Talk with growth factor receptor signalling
What role does PKA play in glycogen breakdown?
targets enzymes, leading to glycogen breakdown
- PKA phosphorylates Glycogen synthase - deacctivates it
- PKA phosphorylates Phosphorylase kinase - activates it, leading to breakdown of glycogen
What role does PKA play in activation of CREB?
- PKA phosphorylates KID box
- CBP (CREB binding protein) - CREB coactivator
- CBP recognizes and binds to CREB after KID box is phosphorylated.
What molecule is:
- Is a transcription factor
- immediate early genes are targets
- Activates genes very quickly (within minutes)
- Neuronal rapid response genes - plays a major role in stabilizing memory (especially long term memory)
- Role of CREB (cAMP response element binding protein)
Name the 3 classes of phosphlipid modification enzymes
- Phospholipases
- lipid kinases
- lipid phosphatases
What 2 secondary messengers are created by phospholipase C, and where are they localized?
- DAG: remains in membrane
- IP3: moves to ER to open Ca2+ channels
What are the 3 steps to Phospholipase C (PLC) activation?
- -GSα activates AC (adenylyl Cyclase)
- -Giα inactivates AC
- Gq activates PLC (phospholipase C)
Name 3 tools in the Ca2+ signaling toolkit
- ATP driven Ca2+ pumps: remove Ca2+ from cytoplasm
- Ca2+ release channels: release Ca2+ in response to stimuli
- -Voltage gated channels
- -Receptor operated channels
- -Second messenger operated channels (IP3)
- Buffers: bind free Ca2+ in cytoplasm and ER
- -Calmodulin
- -Careticulin
Group of terpeno-phenolic compounds produced by plants of the genus Cannabis, such as Cannabis indica or Cannabis sativa
Phytocannabinoids
What are teh 2 main cannabinoids?
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): anti-nociception and psychoactivity (hallcinations and other unwanted effects)
- Cannabidiol (CBD): anti-anxiety, anti-epileptic, anti-bactterial, anti-inflammatory. Little or no psychoactivity. Can potentially treat neuropathic pain.
Why can cannabinoids persist in the body for a long time?
Are highly lipid soluble
Where are cannabinoids concentrated in the plant?
Glandular trichomes of female plant
Why do plants synthesize cannabinoids?
- THC is assumed to be involved in self defense, potentially against herbivores
- THC posseses high UV-B absorption properties
- protects plants from UV radiation?
CB1 receptor:
What is its ligand?
where is it localized?
Where is it coupled to?
What is its action?
- What is its ligand?
- cannabinoids
- where is it localized?
- presynapses
- Where is it coupled to?
- mainly Gi
- What is its action?
- inhibition of adenylate cyclase
CB2
What is its ligand?
where is it localized?
Where is it coupled to?
What is its action?
- What is its ligand?
- Cannabinoids
- where is it localized?
- outside CNS (Spleen)
- Where is it coupled to?
- mainly coupled to Gi
- What is its action?
- can be upregulated in response to injury and inflammation
Name 4 functions of both CB1 and CB2 upon activation
- Mediate inhibition of neurotransmitter release
- Block Ca2+ channels
- Activate K+ channels
- Activate MAP kinase
AT which two synapses is neurotransmission inhibited upon activation of CB1?
Inhibition of synaptic neurotransmission at both:
- -inhibitory synapses (GABA)
- -Excitatory synapses (glutamate)
Describe retrograde signaling in the context of cannabinoid receptor CB1
- Post synaptic neuron sends out endogenous cannabinoids that bind to CB1
- This alters the release of neurotransmitters (GABA, Glutamate)
- Causes potent and long lasting changes in presynaptic neurotransmitter release
Name 2 endocannabinoids
- Arachidonylglycerol (2-AG)
- Arachinidolethanolamide (AEA) Anandamide
What are 4 roles of Ach in the peripheral nervous system?
- -muscle activation
- -released from all pre- and postganglionic parasympathetic neurons
- -preganglionic sympathetic neurons
- -leads to release of adrenaline and noradrenaline from adrenal gland
What are 6 roles of Ach in the Central nervous system?
- -Cholinergic neurotransmitter system (inhibition)
- -neuromodulator for plasticity
- -sensory perceptions upon waking up
- -sustaining attention
- -promotion of REM sleep
- -memory
What are the 5 Ach receptors, where are they located and what is their receptor type?
- M1/M3/M5
- location: Atonomic ganglia, CNS
- receptor type: Gq/11 - Phospholipase C
- M2
- Location: heart
- Receptor type: Gi - Adenylate cyclase
- M4
- location: frontal brain
- Receptor type: Gi - adenylate cyclase
3 points about muscarinic Ach receptors
- Are GPCRs
- Are Metabotropic (acts through secondary messenger)
- Have a lasting effect on neurons
Name an agonist of muscarinic Ach receptor
•Receptor agonists: Muscarine
name 3 antagonists of muscarinic Ach receptor
- Atropine,
- Hyoscamine,
- Scopolamine
Name 2 other types of drugs besides agonists or antagonists that act on the Muscarinic Ach Receptors (don’t need examples, but feel free to name them)
-
•Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors:
- Examples:
- •Drugs to treat alyheimers
- •Naturally occuring: Venoms and Toxins
- •Pesticides, chemincal warfare (Tabun – a nerve agent)
- Examples:
- •Release inhibitors:
- Examples:
- Black widow venom (first contraction, then paralysis), Botulinus
- Examples:
Why do plants synthesize caffeine? (3 reasons)
-
1)used for defense againt insects
- –showsn to kill larvae of tobacco hornworm by competetively inhibiting phosphodiesterase (PDE)
-
2) Used as an attractant for pollinators
- –enhances reward memory of honeybees, improving reproductive success of plant
-
3) Used against competing plants
- –is released from decaying seeds and leaves, and accumulates in soil, possibly wards off competition by other plants
- –this is a limiting problem in intercropped coffee plantations
What kind of molecule is caffeine and where in plant found?
- Xanthine = Purine alkaloid (1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione)
- Mostly found in leaves and seeds of coffee plants (but also 60 other plants, e.g. Tea, Kola nut, yerba mate
What is the effect of caffeine in animals and how does its structure matter
- caffeine has similar structure to adenosine,
- binds to adenosine receptors (without activating them)
- Antagonizes adenosine by preventing adenosine from binding to these same receptors
A1 adenosine receptor:
Location
What happens upon activation?
What effect does adenosine have upon it in relation to sleepiness?
- Location: brain cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, basal ganglia
- Upon activation:
- -AC-inhibition,
- activation of inwardly rectifying K+ channels,
- activates PLC,
- blocks neurotransmitter release
- Sleepiness:
- -these are found on neurons responsible for keeping us awake
- -if bound by adenosine, these neurons become less active, making us sleepy
A2 adenosine receptor:
Location
What happens upon activation?
What effect does adenosine have upon it in relation to sleepiness?
- Location:
- Striatum, nucleus accumbens, olfactory bulb
- Co-localizes with dopamine receptors in regions for motor control
- upon activation:
- -AC-activation, brain, heart, inflammation
- Sleepiness
- -These are found on neurons that promote sleep
- -If bound, these neurons become more active, making us sleepy
Describe the cycle of adenosine formation and breakdown
- Cells breakdown ATP for energy, producing adenosine
- Adenosine exported from cell via transporters
- Builds up in extracellular space (e.g. synaptic cleft)
- Adenosine binds adenosine receptors, making us sleepy
- during sleep, brain replenishes ATP using adenosine, reducing adenosine levels
- When not enough adenosine remaining to activate adenosine receptors, we wake up feeling nice and refreshed.
What is adenylate cyclase superactivity and how may it occur?
- AC superactivity is where the AC enzyme needs less signaling to make cAMP
- Can occur upon repeated opioid receptor stimulation
How do opioids control pain?
- There are 2 pathways of pain control
- The ascending pathway: recieves pain signal, makes its way to somatosensory cortex
- The descending pathway: triggered by ascending pathway.
- releases enkephalins (endogenous opioids) that inhibit ascending pain transmission
Physcological effects of opioids
- -opioid signalling also occurs in certain areas of the brain and induces psychological effects such as euphoria and feelins of pleasure and reward.
- -caused by excessive release of dopamine
- -opitate receptors are also located in respiratory center of the brainstem, where they are involved in controlling the breathing rate.
- -overdoes of heroin or morphine can arrest breathing altogether, causing death.
Opioid receptor effects
- Are GPCRs
- Can either inhibit or activate Adenylate cyclase depending on receptor and ligand.
What molecule is:
- -Monoamine neurotransmitter controlling: cognition, mood, and reward
- -implicated in depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD
- -is important for neurostimulation
- Dopamine
What are two Dopamine Receptors and what do they regulate?
- D1: Golf-stimulation of AC on pathway facilitating motor activity
-
D2: Gi-inhibition of AC on pathway inhibiting motor activity
- Overall effect: motorstimulation
How does cocaine work?
- Cocaine binds DAT dopamine transporter
- -prevents re-uptake of dopamine (also seratonin and norepinephrine-triple uptake inhibitor)
- -this causes a dopamine overflow
What is the DAT transporter?
- Dopamine transporter – DAT
- -is the target for cocaine
- -regulates availability of dopamine in the brain
- –Actively translocates released dopamine back into the presynaptic neuron
- -is an SLC transporter(solute carrier transporter) – Na+/dopamine transporter
- DAT Structure:
- -12 TM helices
- -inwardly facing and outwardly facing conformations control direction of dopamine movement
- -N and C- terminal tails in the cytoplasm are the sites for regulation
- -Arg60 stabilises outward conformation
What are 5HT2A receptors?
- Seratonin receptors
- High concentration in pyramidal neuron cells
- Expressed throughout CNS, neocortex
- Upon activation, enhance glutamate release by interaction with other receptors
Why do 5HT2A agonists cause a psychodelic effect?
- Cause robust increase in activity of pyramidal neurons
- pyramidal cells are hyperexcitatory
- leads to excess glutamate from multiple thalamic afferents
- Sensory and cognative overload leads to psychodelic effects.
Name 4 drugs that interact with 5HT2A receptors
- Mescalin = peyote
- Psilocybin = magic mushrooms
- Ketamine
- Phencyclidin = angel dust
Name and either draw or describe 4 types of ion channels
- Voltage gated
- Ligand gated (extracellular ligand)
- Ligand gated (intracellular ligand)
- Mechanically gated
Give a basic description of voltage gated ion channels including:
How they respond to membrane potential
How is membrane potential measured
- Ion channels open or close in response to membrane potential
- Membrane potential is measured by concentration of ions outside and inside membrane
What is the membrane potential of a membrane if there is an excess positive charge outside the membrane?
It is negative, because the membrane potential is always listed as inside –> outside
Calculation would be: (Charge inside membrane) - (charge outside membrane)
What are the natural ion concentrations at resting potential?
- Higher outside cell:
- Na+
- Ca2+
- Higher inside cell:
- K+
- Ca2+ is also stored in the ER