ELM1: Receptors 101 Flashcards
What do most drugs bind to?
Proteins
What part of the protein do drugs bind to?
The binding domain
What type of bond is formed between a drug and its target protein?
Reversible
Lots of different types of bond
What is the definition of a receptor?
A protein that binds a molecular message and passes the information on in a different form
What is a protein superfamily?
Broad grouping of proteins that are related in terms of structure and function
What is the hierarchy of protein superfamilies?
Superfamily
Family
Subfamily
What is the GPCR superfamily?
G protein coupled receptors
Biggest superfamily with over 800 members
What is the rhodopsin-like family?
Largest family in the GPCR superfamily
Over 600 members
19 subfamilies
How do superfamilies arise?
- A gene duplicates in cell division and makes two of the same gene
- One gene is mutated and have no effect
- The spare copy is mutated enough and gains a function
- This makes a new receptor
What are the evolutionary advantages of diversity?
Greater flexibility of organisms
Better adapt to environment
What is the beta1 subgroup of adrenoceptors?
Expressed in heart
Role in increasing heart rate and force of contraction
What is the beta2 subgroup of adrenoceptors?
Expressed in bronchial smooth muscle
Role in dilation of airways
What does the existence of the beta1 and beta2 subunits mean for the pharmaceutical industry?
The different types mean we can target each individually without affecting the other
This makes drug development easier
What are ligand gated ion channels?
Transmembrane proteins with a built in ion channel
Neurotransmitter ligand binds and opens the channel
What is the process of a ligand gated ion channel becoming activated?
- Agonist binds to receptor at two agonist binding sites
- Conformational change and channel opens so ions cross the membrane
- Ions dissociate from receptor which inactivates and closes
What are pentameric ligand gated ion channels?
Ligand gated
Superfamily
5 subunits in a ring around ion channel
4 transmembrane domains with N terminal extracellular domain
What are nicotinic acetylcholine receptors?
Ligand gated
Agonist is acetylcholine
Activated by nicotine
Allow sodium and calcium in to depolarise membrane
What is the physiological importance of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors?
Fast excitatory transmission between motor neurons and skeletal muscle
Fast synaptic transmission in autonomic ganglia
Modulate release of neurotransmitters in CNS
What is the pharmacological importance of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors?
In skeletal muscle are target of drugs to block neurotransmitter transmission
In brain are target of nicotine and drugs treat nicotine addiction
What is the structure of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
16 subunits
5 classes of subunit
What are the 3 most important classes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors?
GABAA receptors
Inotropic glutamate receptors
Brain nicotine binding site
What are GABAA receptors?
Pentameric ligand gated ion channels
Chloride channels
Hyperpolarises cell
What is the physiological importance of GABAA receptors?
Inhibitory transmitter in brain
Two classes A and B
What are GABAA receptors responsible for?
Fast synaptic transmission
What are GABAB receptors responsible for?
Slower inhibition
What is the pharmacological importance of GABAA receptors?
Target for drugs to decrease brain activity