Phase 2 - Pharmacology (ICS) Flashcards
Definition of drug
A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when introduced to the body
What % of UK population on medication
48% (in 2016?)
(prescriptions have increased by 47% between 2006-2016)
Druggability meaning
The term used to describe a biological target the is known to/predicted to bind with high affinity to a drug.
The binding of a drug to a druggable target must alter the function of the target with a theraputic benefit.
What percentage of the human genome is estimated to be druggable
10-15% (with a small molecule approach)
Name types of drug targets
Most/all drug targets are proteins
- receptors
- enzymes
- transporters
- ion channels
Also - ligand drugs like thyroid hormone
What is a receptor
A component of a cell that interacts with a specific ligand and initiates a change of biochemical events leading to the observed effects caused by the ligand
They are the principal means by which chemicals communicate
not all cells will have certain druggable components
Explain what ligands can be
Ligands can be exogenous (drugs) or endogenous (hormones, neurotransmitter, etc)
ligands mediate effects
- they are many and varied
- they’re a molecule that bind to another, usually
Which chemicals are commonly associated with receptors?
Neurotransmitters
- e.g. acetylcholine, serotonin
Autacoids - (local) Greek “autos” (self) and “acos” (relief).
- e.g. cytokines, histamine
Hormones (slightly diff type of ligand - works intracellularly)
- e.g. testosterone, hydrocortisone
- e.g. retinoic acid, steroid hormone
What types of receptors can you have?
Ligand-gated ion channels
e.g. - nicotinic ACh receptor
G protein coupled receptors (most common in human genome)
e.g. - beta-adrenoceptors
Kinase-linked receptors
e.g. - receptors for growth factors
Cytosolic/nuclear receptors (intracellular - others normally on cell surface - affect gene transcription)
e.g. - steroid receptors
What are ligand gated ion channels and how do they work?
- Pore forming membrane proteins that allow ions to pass through
- results in a shift in the distribution of electric charge
- change in charge can be mediated by influx of any cation or the efflux of any anion
What are GCPRs and how do they work?
- G protein coupled recptors are the largest, most diverse group of membrane receptors (in eukaryotes)
- they have 7 membrane spanning regions
- thought to make up around 4% of all genes
- G proteins (guanine nucleotide-binding proteins) are involved in transmitting signals from GCPRs
- GCPR activity is regulated by factors that control their ability to bind to/hydrolyse guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to guanosine diphosphate (GDP)
- G proteins (GTPases) act as molecular switches
- when the ligand binds to GCPR it causes a conformational change
- G protein is recruited and this causes a cascade
- GCPR catalyses the exchange of GDP to GTP
What % of drugs are GCPRs targeted by
> 30%
What kind of ligands can you have for GCPRs
Ligands include:
- light energy
- peptides
- lipids
- sugars
- proteins
GIve an example of GCPRs
olfactory receptors
Give common receptor messengers, G proteins, coupled substances and secondary messengers for GCPRs
Receptor messengers:
- M3 (Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3)
- β2 (beta 2 adrenergic receptor)
G protein:
- Gq
- Gs
Coupled with:
- PLC (phospholipase C)
- AC (adenylyl cyclase)
2nd messengers:
- IP3/DAG (inositol triphosphate/diacylglycerol)
- cyclic AMP
What are kinase-linked receptors and how do they work
Transmembrane receptors activated when the binding of an extracellular ligand that causes a conformational change and results in enzymatic activity intracellular side.
- receptor can have 2 components/ be made of 2 copies of a structure
Kinases catalyse phosphoylation and the substrate/ligand gains a phosphate group from an ATP molecule
What are nuclear receptors and how do they work
- receptors within the cell/ on nuclear membrane
- have zinc fingers and a ligand binding site
- typically associated with steroid hormones
- ligand binding causes conformational change - activates receptor
- regulates/modifies gene transcription (can be an activator or receptor)
Examples of how chemical/receptor imbalance can cause pathology
Chemical imbalance:
- allergy; increased histamine
- Parkinson’s; reduced dopamine
Receptor imbalance:
- myasthenia gravis; loss of ACh receptors
- mastocytosis; increased c-kit receptor
targeting these is a theraputic strategy
Define potency
An expression of the activity of a drug in terms of the concentration or amount of the drug required to produce a defined
Whether a drug is ‘strong’ or ‘weak’ relates to how well the drug binds to the receptor, the binding affinity
Define efficacy
The ability of an intervention to produce the desired beneficial effect
- can you get maximal response? do you get maximal response even if not all receptors are engaged? partial agonist?
Define pharmacodynamics
Relating to the effects of drugs and the mechanism of their action
Define tolerance
Down regulation of the receptors with prolonged use
- Need higher doses to achieve the same effect
Define dependence
A condition in which a person takes a drug over time, and unpleasant physical/psychological symptoms occur if the drug is suddenly stopped or taken in smaller doses.
State psychological and physical symptoms of drug dependence.
Psychological
- craving, euphoria
Physical
- cold-turkey (withdrawal symptoms)
- can be fatal for people especially if malnourished
Types of receptor ligands (in teems of the effect they have)
Agonist - a compound that binds to a receptor and activates it
Antagonist - a compound that reduces/blocks the effect of an agonist
What is the two state model of receptor activation
- describes how drugs activate receptors by inducing or supporting a conformational change in the receptor from “off” to “on”.
Can different agonists mediate the same response through different receptors?
Yes
What is intrinsic activity
Refers to the efficacy of a drug.
The ability of a drug-receptor complex to produce a maximum functional response
How can antagonists reverse effects of agonist
Competitive antagonism
Non-competitive antagonism
What are the 2 catagories of cholinergic receptor characterisation?
Nicotinic
Muscarinic
What is an agonist and an antagonist of muscarinic receptors (mAChR)
Agonist - muscarine
Antagonist - atropine
What is an agonist and an antagonist of nicotinic receptors (nAChR)
Agonist - nicotine
Antagonist - curare
Characterisations of different histamine receptors
H1 receptor - 481 amino acids; 56 kDa protein
- related to ALLERGIC conditions
H2 receptor - 359 amino acids; 40 kDa protein
- related to GASTRIC ACID secretion
H3 receptor - 445 amino acids; 49kDa protein
- related mostly to CNS DISORDERS (e.g. narcolepsy, ADHD, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s)
- evidence suggests role in obesity, pain and rhinitis
H4 receptor - 390 amino acids; 44 kDa protein
- related to IMMUNE system and INFLAMMATORY conditions (e.f. rhinitis, pruritis and asthma) and inflammatory PAIN
What are factors governing drug action
Receptor-related
- affinity
- efficacy
Tissue-related
- receptor number
- signal amplification (dependant on receptor)
What is affinity
Describes how well a ligand binds to the receptor
It is a property shown by both agonists and antagonists
What is efficacy?
Describes how well a ligand activates the receptor
Agonists can have high or low efficacy (depending on the intensity of the downstream response)
Antagonists block receptor signalling so they have ZERO efficacy
What happens when you block receptors
The response takes longer to reach the maximal point. It reduces potency.
What is a receptor reserve
It refers to instances where agonists activate only a small fraction of existing receptors to produce the maximal system response
This only relates to full agonists in a given tissue. A partial agonist can never have a receptor reserve as the maximal response will not be seen even when 100% of receptors are occupied
Why is receptor reserve useful
Reduces risk of total inactivation due to a high-affinity or permanently binding antagonist
What occurs in signal transduction
The steps from the activation of the receptor to the displayed response. It involves a signelling cascade.
Activation of a receptor can elicit differing responses
What is signal amplification
The amplification of a signal as it moves along the signalling cascade
Activation of the same type of receptor by the same type of agonist can elicit a different response in different tissues
What is allosteric modulation
Creating a different response by a ligand binding to a receptor at an allosteric (other) site (a site which is not the orthosteric site)
What is inverse agonism and why can it occur
When a drug that binds to the same receptor as an agonist, induces a pharmacological response opposite to that of the agonist.
can be due to receptor protein changing shape slightly or due to being a different ligand
What is tolerance
The slow reduction in agonist effect over time
caused by continuously, repeated high concentrations
What is desensitisation
Rapid reduction in agonist effect
Due to complete change in receptor (- e.g. in type 2 diabetes?)
Receptors are:
- uncoupled
- internalized
- degraded
Why is selective a better term than specific when referring to drug interactions
No compound is ever truly specific
Leads to off target effects
Why can non-selective drugs cause problems
Various versions/subtypes of the same type of receptor exist in different areas in the body and a non-selective receptor would affect all of them
e.g. isoprnaline is a non-selective β-adrenoceptor agonist used for bradycardia (slow heart rate), heart block, and rarely for asthma. It affects both the receptors in heart and lungs.
Define affinity
The extent or fraction to which a drug binds to receptors at any given drug conentration
What is an enzyme inhibitor?
A molecule that binds to an enzyme and (normally) decreases its activity
What does an enzyme inhibitor do?
It prevents the substrate from entering the enzyme’s active site and prevents it from catalysing its reaction
What are the classes of enzyme inhibitors?
Irreversible inhibitors usually react with the enzyme and change it chemically (e.g. via covalent bond formation).
Reversible inhibitors bind non-covalently and different types of inhibition are produced depending on whether these inhibitors bind to the enzyme, the enzyme-substrate complex, or both.
Partially reversible
Give an example of an enzyme which is in itself a drug product
streptokinase – a clot buster
What are statins?
A class of major lipid-lowering medications that reduces the levels of “bad cholesterol” for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Blocks rate-limiting step (catelysed by HMG-CoA) in cholesterol pathway
What is the purpose of statins?
Reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in those who are at high risk.
How does RAAS increase blood pressure
By increasing the amount of salt and water the body retians
What is RAAS inhibited by, how and why?
Inhibited by Angiotension Converting Enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) IN ORDER TO reduce blood pressure.
It functions by reducing angiotensin II production by blocking ACE
What were the names of 1st and 2nd generation ACE inhibitors respectively?
Captopril
Enalaprilat (Enalapril)
How can the ACE system be hijacked?
SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 as an entry receptor
Give an example of a disease where enzymes can target multiple steps in the biosynthetic pathways? Give the proportion of the population affected by this disease.
Parkinson’s disease
Affects one person in every 500
(1:100 in over 60s)
What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s
Hypokinesia – motor movement↓
Tremor at rest
Muscle rigidity, Motor inertia
Cognitive impairment
Degenerative disease of basal ganglia
Early degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatial pathway leading to autonomic dysfunction and dementia
What is the name of the key substrate in Parkinson’s and where does it come from
L-DOPA
produced from the amino acid L-Tyrosine as a precursor for neurotransmitter biosynthesis - crosses the Blood Brain Barrier
How can Parkinson’s be treated?
Peripheral DDC Inhibitor (Carbidopa, Benserazide)
- reduces dopamine in peripheral (DDC converts l-dopa to dopamine in the periphery) THUS
- reduces degradation of l-dopa in peripheral THUS
- increases dopamine in brain
Peripheral COMT inhibitor (Tolcapone, Entacapone)
- prevents breakdown of L-DOPA to 3-methyl DOPA
- generates more l-dopa for CNS
Central COMT inhibitors (Tolcapone)
- reduces conversion of dopamine to 3MT in CNS
- increases dopamine in CNS
Mono Amine Oxidase B inhibitor (Selegiline, Rasagiline)
- prevents breakdown of dopamine to DOPAC in CNS
- increases availability of dopamine in CNS
Central Dopamine Receptor Agonists (Bromocrytine, Pergolide, Pramipexole, Ropinirole, Rotigotine)
- Antagonise dopamine receptors in CNS
- These are NOT enzyme inhibitors
EVIDENCE of how many therapeutic options for one specific pathway
Types of ion transporters
Passive (no energy required)
- Symporter
- Na/K/2Cl , NaCl
- Channels
- Na, Ca, K, Cl
Active (requires energy)
- ATP-ases
- Na/K, K/H
What are the 3 main types of protein ports in cell membranes?
Uniporters: use energy from ATP to pull molecules in.
Symporters: use the movement in of one molecule to pull in another molecule against a concentration gradient. (typically moving in same direction)
Antiporters: one substance moves against its gradient, using energy from the second substance (mostly Na+, K+ or H+) moving down its gradient. (typically moving in opposite directions)
Give an example of a symporter and the drug that can affect it
The Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC) is a protein that transports Na, K, and Cl into cells
- Move ions in the same direction
Predominantly functions in organs that secrete fluids. E.g. in kidney
Furosemide (a loop diuretic - used for hypertension and edema)
Acts by inhibiting the luminal NKCC in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle
Binding to the NKCC causes sodium, chloride, and potassium loss in urine
Where can ion channels exist
In many tissues, especially excitable tissues
Give types of ion channels and the conditions related to their dysfunction
Epithelial (Sodium) – heart failure
Voltage-gated (Calcium, Sodium) – nerve, arrhythmia
Metabolic (Potassium) – diabetes
Receptor Activated (Chloride) - epilepsy
What is an epithelial (sodium) channel (ENaC) - function and associated drugs
An (apical) membrane-bound heterotrimeric (structure is two sets of three proteins) ion channel selectively permeable to Na+ ions
Causes reabsorption of Na+ ions at the collecting ducts of the kidney’s nephrons (also in colon, lung and sweat glands - plays a role in fluid reabsorption in the lungs)
Blocked by the high affinity diuretic amiloride (often used with Thaizide).
Thaizide targets Na+Cl− cotransporter that reabsorbs Na and Cl from tubular fluid
- Used as a anti-hypertensive
Voltage-gated (Calcium) channels - where are they found and function
Voltage-gated ion channels (VDCC) are found in the membrane of excitable cells (e.g., muscle, glial cells, neurons, etc.)
At physiologic or resting membrane potential, VDCCs are normally closed.
Activated (i.e., opened) by depolarized membrane potentials.
Ca2+ enters the cell, resulting in activation of Ca-sensitive K channels, muscular contraction, excitation of neurons etc.
What is an action potential
A momentary change in electrical potential on the surface of a nerve or muscle cell, that occurs when it is stimulated, resulting in the transmission of an electrical impulse.
How are voltage-gated (calcium) channels inhibited and why
- AMLODIPINE is an angioselective Ca channel blocker
- inhibits influx of Ca ions across cell membrane into vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiac muscle cells - inhibits contraction.
- has a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle
- causes vasodilation and reduction of peripheral vascular resistance
- prevents excessive constriction in coronary arteries
- LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE
Voltage gated (sodium) channels - function
Allows influx of Na+ through plasma membrane when activation gates are opened by action potential.
- increases voltage across membrane
- transmits a signal
In excitable cells voltage-gated Na+ channels have three main conformational states: closed, open and inactivated.
Which drug inhibits voltage gated Na channels
Lidocaine (anaesthetic) blocks transmission of the action potential. Also blocks signaling in the heart reducing arrhythmia.
Voltage gated (Potassium) Channels - structure and how do they function
6 - transmembrane spanning with intracellular component and extracellular p-loop
Voltage gated channels that are selective for K+ over other cations
- Allow influx of K+ when activation gates opened by action potential
have three conformational states: closed, open and inactivated
(>40 known human voltage-gated potassium channel alpha subunits)
What is the purpose of voltage gated K channels
Regulate insulin in Pancreas: β Islets of Langerhans
Name drugs that inhibit K+ channel, how they function, and what they are used for
Repaglinide, nateglinide and sulfonylureal
Increased glucose blocks ATP dependent K+ channels.
Repetitive firing of action potentials increases Ca+ influx and triggers insulin secretion
These drugs block K+ channels and thus stimulate insulin secretion
Used to treat type II diabetes
Receptor mediated (Chloride) channels - structure, function, example of receptor
Composed of 2 beta, 2 alpha and 1 gamma subunit
When a ligand (e.g. a neurotransmitter like GABA) binds to the receptor it opens and allows efflux of chloride.
- inhibitory effect
E.g. GABA A receptor
Which drug is used to increase permeability of ligand gated channels to chloride and what does it do
Barbiturates
enhance activation of GABA A receptor - produces greater inhibition
What’s another name for receptor-mediated (chloride ) channels
ionotropic receptors
ligand-gated
What are Sodium pumps, what do they do, for what purpose
They are a type of ATPase (Na/K ATPase)
It actively pumps out 3 N ions and simultaneously pumps in 2 K ions. Antiporter-like activity (both substances moving against conc. grad)
This creates an electrochemical gradient between inside and outside the cells and is used to re-establish membrane potential in excitable tissue
What inhibits Sodium pumps, how does it work, what is it used for
Digoxin
Inhibits Na/K ATPase, mainly in myocardium which causes increase in intracellular Na. This promotes activity of Na-Ca exchanger so intracellular Ca increases.
Lengthens cardiac action potential - decreased heart rate.
Used to treat atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, heart failure
What is proton pump in stomach, what does it do, for what purpose
H+/K+ ATPase - a heterodimeric (composed of 2 similar but different components) protein (product of 2 genes)
Exchanges potassium from intestinal lumen with cytoplasmic hydronium (form of H+ in aqueos solution)
Receptor-mediated acid secretion in stomach and activates pepsin.
What drugs target stomach proton pumps, what do they do, for what purpose
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) - e.g. omeprazole
Inhibit acid secretion by irriversible inhibition of H/K ATPase - anti ulcer theraputics
Omeprazole metabolised at acid pH so delivered via enteric coated granules (increase bioavailability)
Half-life of omeprazole? How long does it work for?
half-life 1h, but works for 2-3 days
What is an alternative anti ulcer therapy other than omeprazole (don’t think i actually need to know)
H2-receptor antagonists (binds to histamine receptors)
Examples of irreversible inhibitors of cholinesterase
Insecticides (Diazinon)
Nerve gases (Sarin)
What 5 of hospital admissions due to pesticide? How many deaths worldwide per year?
80%
200, 000 deaths worldwide per year
Examples of muscarinic symptoms caused by organophosphates
salivation, defaecation, urination, bradycardia , hypotension
Examples of nicotinic symptoms caused by organophosphates
twitching, servere weakness paralysis, diaphragm
Examples of CNS symptoms caused by organophosphates
Confusion, loss of reflexes, convulsions, coma
What are organophosphates?
Organophosphorus substances used as insecticides and nerve gases - typically irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Examples of irreversible enzyme inhibitors?
Omeprazole
Aspirin (COX inhibitor)
What is pharmacokinetics
study of drug metabolism
- occurs through specialised enzymatic systems
Why is metabolism of drugs important?
The rate of metabolism determines the duration and intensity of a drug’s pharmacologic action
It generates compounds that are (often inactivated and) more readily excreted (works in liver and kidney)
What are xenobiotics
Compounds foreign to an organism’s normal biochemistry, such any drug or poison
What is bioavailability of a drug?
the fraction (%) of an administered drug that reaches the systemic circulation.
If a drug can’t reach its intended site of action then it will have limited therapeutic utility
What factors need to be considered in pharmacokinetics
Absorption, Metabolism, Distribution, Excretion
What is cytochrome p450, where are they found, function, purpose
Primarily membrane associated monooxidase proteins - major enzymes involved in drug metabolism (accounts for ~75% total metabolism)
located in the inner membrane of mitochondria OR in endoplasmic reticulum
Deactivate most drugs - directly OR by facilitated excretion from body (usually by urine)
Bioactivate many substances.
Metabolise thousands of endogenous and exogenous chemicals.
Characteristics of autonomic nervous system
Involuntary
Involves an enteric nervous system as well (both sympathetic and parasympathetic)
Conveys all outputs to body from cns except for voluntary stuff
Cholinergic and adrenergic meanings
Cholinergic - relates to acetylcholine
Adrenergic - relates to adrenaline
Characteristics of sympathetic nervous system
2 nerve system
Gre-ganglion - lateral horn (T1-L2)
Gre-ganglion fibre synapses with post-ganglion nerve at sympathetic chain ganglion (both pre- and post-ganglionic fibres are long)
Travels through white and grey rami communicantes respectively
Characteristics of parasympathetic nervous sytem
2 nerves
Cranial nerve nuclei: 3, 7 ,9, 10
Sacral outflow: t12/L1, exit at S2-S4
Ganglia in/adjacent to effector organs
Pre-ganglionic: long, post-ganglionic: short
Functions of parasympathetic and sympertetic systems.
Related to fight/flight and rest/relax
Parasympathetic:
constrict pupil
simulate saliva
slow heartbeat
bronchoconstriction
stimulates peristalsis and secretion
stimulates release of bile
bladder contraction (detrusor)
Sympathetic:
dilate pupil
ihibit saliva
increased heartbeat
bronchodilation
inhibits peristalsis and secretion
conversion of glycogen to glucose
secretion of adrenaline and noradrinaline
inhibits bladder contraction
What are the 2 main neurotransmitters in autonomic system
ACh (acetylcholine)
Noradrenaline
Where does ACh act
muscarinic pre-ganglion reseptors in both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
nicotinic post-ganglionic receptors in parasympathetic system
Where does noradrenaline act
on alpha and beta adreno post-ganglionic receptors in sympathetic system
What are exceptions to the ACh/noradrenaline generalisation
Sweat glands function sympathetically but use ACh in postganglion
NO is released in parasympathetic termini in blood vessels
Which parts of the nervous system do nicotine and muscarine affect?
Nicotine stimulates both autonomic nervous systems
Muscarine activates muscarinic - paraysmpathetic response.
Muscarine poisoning has parasympathetic action (except for sweating which is actually sympathetic)
Examples of NANC (non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic autonomic transmitters)
nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide
(parasympathetic)
ATP and neuropeptide Y (sympathetic system)
How many muscarinic receptors are there and what type of receptor are they
5
GPCRs (G protein coupled receptors)
Where are M1 receptors found
mainly in brain