GCPRs Flashcards
What is an agonist?
A substance that interacts with a receptor such as to activate it
GCPRs & RTKs have to be activated by agonist molecules
What is a treatment for asthma?
Inhalation of an adrenoceptor agonist (e.g. Salbutamol)
Activates adrenoceptors in the lung smooth-muscle
Causing the lungs to relax (bronchodilation)
What happens when beta-adrenergic receptors couple to Gs subunits?
Activates adenylyl cyclase, stimulating it to produce cAMP which activates protein kinase A (PKA)
What happens when ACh muscarinic M1 / alpha-adrenergic receptors couple to Gq subunits ?
- Stimulate phospholipase C which breaks down phospholipid PIP2 —> DAG + InsP3
- DAG can then activate protein kinase C (PKC) and InsP3 can release Ca2+ from intracellular stores
What does the coupling of opioid / acetylcholine muscarinic M2 receptors to Gi/o subunits do?
Can down-regulate adenylyl cyclase / affect ion channel activity
What does Gs do?
Stimulates adenylyl cyclase
What does Gq do?
- Activates phospholipase C which breaks down cell phospholipid PIP2 —> DAG (diacyglycerol) and inositol ((1,4,5)-triphosphate - InsP3 / IP3)
- InsP3 releases Ca2+ from intracellular stores which activates other processes
What does Gi/o do?
Can inhibit adenylyl cyclase and interact with a variety of targets (inc. ion channels)
What does adenylyl cyclase do?
Stimulated by certain GCPRs to produce cAMP (cyclic 3’,’-adenosine monophosphate)
Increased [cAMP] in the cell activates cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) which causes phosphorylation of other proteins (e.g. ion channels)
What are the immediate symptoms of anaphylactic shock? (3)
Laryngeal oedema (swelling of the larynx)
Bronchospasm (constriction of the airways)
Hypertension (loss of blood pressure)
What are the advantages of using inhalers in the treatment of asthma?
By inhaling the drug, it allows it to be specifically applied to where it is needed (the lungs) and by the time it reaches other targets where the effect is not wanted (e.g. the heart), it has become diluted
What are the 3 different sub-units of the heterotrimeric G-protein?
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
What are GPCRs?
G-protein coupled receptors
Proteins embedded in the cell membrane that transmit external signals into the cell
They have a diverse range of physiological functions
What are GCPRs also known as?
7TM receptors
What are G-proteins?
Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins
Bind GTP (guanosine triphosphate) and GDP (guanosine diphosphate)
What are examples of functions of GCPRs?
Used to:
Detect photons in the eyes & odours in the nose
Speed up / slow down the heart
Regulate blood pressure & secretion of stomach acid
What drug (which targets GCPRs) is used to treat migraines?
Sumatriptan (Imigran)
What drug (which targets GCPRs) is an antihistamine?
Cetirizine (Zirtek)