Intro To Pharmacology

Question 1

What to drugs bind to?

Answer 1

Most drugs bind to proteins to exert their action.

Question 2

what are the 4 classes of proteins targeted by drugs?

Answer 2

Enzymes, transporters, ions gated channels and receptors.

Question 3

Define an agonist

Answer 3

Drug/chemical mediators that bind to a receptor to produce a response
They are bound within the pocket of a G-protein receptor

Question 4

Define an antagonist

Answer 4

Drugs that inhibit the response of an agonist. They do NOT produce a response

Question 5

What is a ligand

Answer 5

A ligand is any molecule that bind to a receptor

Question 6

What is a bioassay?

Answer 6

A bioassay is a method used to determine the effect of a substance which is determined by the biological response it produces.

Question 7

Why are bioassays important?

Answer 7

They are important for:
-Measuring the activity of the substance
-The unwanted side effects
-investigating the function of endogenous mediators

Question 8

What is found within receptor families?

Answer 8

we find different subtypes with distinct subunit
DIFFERENT SUBUNITS HAVE DIFFERENT SUBUNITS

Question 9

What can drugs that lack specificity cause?

Answer 9

Side affects

Question 10

Why can drugs have different effects?

Answer 10

Because the same receptors are found in diffferent places around the body

Question 11

What must drug molecules exert in order to produce a pharmacological response?

Answer 11

A chemical influence on one or more parts of a cell

Question 12

Why are side effects caused by drugs that lack specificity?

Answer 12

Many receptors are found in more than one organ and drugs bind to receptors wherever they are located as a result leading to side effects

Question 13

What do opioid receptors have and what do they do?

Answer 13

They have a natural receptor and they can increase the feeling of reward, relaxation and motivation

Question 14

What is a G-coupled receptor?

Answer 14

A G-coupled receptor is a family of proteins that act as molecular switches inside cells. They are responsible for transmitting signals from outside a cell to its interior.

Question 15

How can paracrine signalling be affected by drugs acting on RECEPTORS?

Answer 15

*Paracrine signalling is local signalling
-Mast cells located under skin detect allergen
-Activated mast cells secrete mediators e.g. histamine which act LOCALLY to produce vasodilation and activate neurons involved in itch
-Allergy medicines contain drugs that block receptors for histamine

Question 16

How can paracrine signalling be affected by drugs acting on enzymes?
*think of inflammation

Answer 16

-Prostaglandins are lipid-derived paracrine mediators that cause inflammation
-Drugs like paracetamol can target enzymes that synthesise the mediators

Question 17

What does CAR T stand for?

Answer 17

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell therapy

Question 18

What is CAR T immunotherapy?

Answer 18

its a type of immunotherapy that uses the patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer.

Question 19

What are CARs?

Answer 19

they are receptors designed to recognise and bind to specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells.

Question 20

How does CAR T immunotherapy work?

Answer 20

T cells collection
Genetic engineering - producing CARs
T cell expansion - growing more (modified) T cells in the lab
T cell infusion - inject back into patient

Question 21

What type of signalling does CAR T immunotherapy use?

Answer 21

Contact Dependent Signalling

Question 22

What drugs can affect Paracrine Signalling?

Answer 22

Drugs acting on receptors - e.g. antihistamine (this is also an example of an antagonist)

Drugs acting on enzymes - e.g. paracetamol (targets enzymes which synthesise he mediators for signalling)

Question 23

What does Nitric Oxide do?

Answer 23

it causes relaxation of smooth muscle cells and vasodilation

Question 24

How does Viagra maintain an erection?

Answer 24

it inhibits the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of cGMP, allowing smooth muscles to relax and so maintains a good bloodflow to the penis

Question 25

How does Botox work?

Answer 25

its a toxin (drug) targetting the machinary involved in the release of neurotransmitters in the area its injected

it cleaves proteins which are part of the synaptic machinary (paralyses local muscles)

over time new proteins can be made to replace the ones that have been cleaved

Question 26

Which agonist and antagonist work on a nicotinic acetyl choline receptor?

Answer 26

agonist –> nicotine

antagonist –> curare

Question 27

Which agonist and antagonist work on a Mucarini acetyle choline receptor?

Answer 27

agonist –> Muscarine

antagonist –> Atropine

Question 28

What’s Anaphylaxis?

Answer 28

Allergic reaction
CAUSES airways to get blocked - no breathing = fatal
EpiPen is used for treatment - Adrenaline shot which causes the airway muscle to relax allowing the person to breathe