Receptors and Membrane Signalling

Question 1

The nature of drug receptors. 4 examples of what they can be

Answer 1

Enzymes
Ion channels
Transporters (pumps)
Physiological receptors (for hormones, NT’s)

Question 2

How are receptors classified?

How are receptors named?

Answer 2

Receptors are classified on the basis of the selective action of drugs
They are names according to the transmitter or hormone with which they interact

Question 3

Name 5 receptors superfamilies and give examples of each

Answer 3

Integral ion channels e.g. nicotinic
Integral tyrosine kinases e.g. insulin rec
Steroid receptors e.g. oestrogen
GPCR’s e.g. muscarinic rec
Cytokine receptors e.g. growth hormone rec

Question 4

Explain the idea of spare receptors

Answer 4

Some highly efficacious agonists can produce a maximal response form the cell without binding to all of the available receptors

Question 5

Explain the idea of partial agonists

Answer 5

Low efficacy, partial agonists cannot produce the cell’s maximal response, even when the have bound to all of the available receptors