L.15/16 Receptor Structure and Function, as drug targets Flashcards
Control and communication come primarily from the _________.
The brain and the spinal column
True or False?
Neurons do connect directly to their target cells.
False.
Neurons do NOT connect directly to their target cells. This is why, there has to be a method of carrying the message across the gap between the nerve ending and the target cell.
Define a neurotransmitter.
They carry signals between nerves; are released from the end of a neuron, they travel across a synapse, bind to receptors on a target cell and then triggers a reaction within a cell
What is a synapse?
the small gap between neurons
What is serotonin?
A neurotransmitter released by a neuron into the synapse. It then binds with specialized proteins called “serotonin receptors” embedded in the cell membrane.
This process leads to a series of secondary effects (constricting smooth muscles, transmitting impulses between nerve cells, and contributing to wellbeing and happiness)
Responsible for maintaining mood balance, so a deficit of serotonin leads to depression
Define circulating hormone
Signaling molecules released from a cell or a gland and into the circulatory system that bind with receptors on or inside the target cells.
Regulate physiology and behavior
How are chemical messengers differientiated?
They are distinguished by the route they travel and by the way they are released.
Regardless of the distinction, their actions when they reach the target cell are the same.
How do chemical messengers work?
They interact with a receptor and message is received. The cell responds to that message and adjusts its internal chemistry accordingly. A biological response results.
‘Switch on’ receptors WITHOUT undergoing a reaction.
Define a receptor
A protein molecule, located mostly in the cell membrane that receives chemical messengers from outside the cell and transmits them into the cell leading to a cellular effect.
Different receptors specific for different chemical messengers.
True or False?
Change in receptor shape results in a signal transduction, leading to a chemical signal being received inside the cell.
True
List the membrane bound receptor super families.
- ION CHANNEL RECEPTORS
- G-PROTEIN COUPLED RECEPTORS
- KINASE LINKED RECEPTORS
What are the characteristics of the neurotransmitter glutamate?
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS and is found in almost all neurons.
Glutamate acts on a family of receptors called the glutamatergic receptors. Glutamatergic neurons are
important for learning.
What are the characteristics of the Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)?
Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. GABAergic neurons and receptors are found in high concentrations in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and
cerebellum. A number of CNS depressants (e.g. benzodiazepines) enhance GABA receptor function.
What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
Glutamate
Glutamatergic neurons are important for what?
Learning
What is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)
Where are GABAergic neurons and receptors found in high concentrations?
Cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
Does acetylcholine produce an excitatory or inhibitory response in the CNS?
Excitatory
What are receptors that bind acetylcholine called?
Cholinergic receptors
What are the two types of cholinergic receptors?
Nicotinic receptors and Muscarinic receptors
Nicotinic and Muscarinic receptors are what type of receptors?
Cholinergic receptors
Nicotinic receptors can be stimulated by _______.
They have ___ subunits consisting of _____.
Acetylcholine or nicotine
5 subunits: 2 alpha (contains 2 ligand sites), 1 beta, 1 gamma, 1 delta
Muscarinic receptors are involved with what?
Learning, memory, and cognitive function
What are G-Protein Coupled Receptors?
- Single protein with 7 transmembrane regions
- Responsible for activating proteins called G-proteins
Drugs that block the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors produce what?
Amnesia
Loss of cholinergic neurons with muscarinic receptors is thought to be associated with what?
Alzheimer’s Disease.
What are two catecholamines similar in structure?
Dopamine and Norepinephrine.
Dopaminergic pathways are involved in control of what?
Some hormonal systems, motor coordination, and motivation and reward.
How is the “gate” of an ion channel opened?
A Chemical messenger binds to receptor binding site
Induced fit results in further conformational changes, causing each of these helices to rotate the kink points of TM2 away from each other, thus opening up the pore.
True or False?
With G- protein coupled receptors, ligand binding site on the extracellular portion of the protein varies depending on receptor type.
True
Activation of alpha and beta receptors usually leads to what?
Excitation of the cell.
What is the mechanism of ion channel receptors?
When a chemical messenger binds to the external binding site of the receptor, it causes the protein to change shape, which changes the overall shape of the protein complex, opening the ion channel and allowing a specific ion to pass through.
G-protein coupled receptors have a ______ set of ligands including peptide hormones, neurotransmitters, and odor molecules.
diverse
What is the response time of G-PROTEIN COUPLED RECEPTORS?
Seconds
What is the response time of KINASE LINKED RECEPTORS?
Minutes
The nervous system is specialized too… (basic functions of the nervous system)
Recognize, process, integrate, and react to stimuli in the environment
What is the one receptor superfamily that is not membrane bound and what is its response time?
INTRACELLULAR RECEPTORS
Response time = hours/days
What is the response time of ion channel recepters?
Milliseconds
What are ion channel receptors?
A 5 protein subunits with a Hollow center, Lined with polar amino acids Specific to specific ions (Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, K+)
True or False?
With ion channels receptors, The ion selectivity of different ion channels is NOT dependent on the amino acids lining the ion channel.
False.
the amino acids liniging the channel create the ion selectivity.
True or False?
The receptor protein is part of an ion channel protein complex and is sensitive to an external chemical messenger that controls the lock gate.
True
A Glycine receptor belongs to what receptor superfamily and has how many subunits?
Ion channel receptor
5 total subunits: 3 alpha (with 3 ligand binding sites), 2 beta
Each subunit of an ion channel receptor traverses the cell membrane ____ times having ____ transmembrane regions.
4; 4
True or False?
When it comes to the variable intracellular loop of an ion channel receptor, the length DOES NOT vary between the different types of receptor.
False.
_______ of each protein subunit ‘lines’ the central pore
TM2 - a residue
In the closed state, the kinked points of the TM2 are pointed in what direction?
towards each other