Question

a) Identify 4 types of non-receptor drug targets?

b) Using any drug as an example and describe the process by which the action of the drug at a molecular level manifests as either a therapeutic or adverse outcome.

Answer 1

a. The four non-receptor drug targets are as follows:.

1. Enzyme: Many drugs act by inhibiting enzyme. For example captopril inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).

2. Ion channels: Many drug acts by inhibiting ion channels. For example nifedipin act by blocking calcium ion channel.

3. Transporters: Many drugs act by blocking transporters. For example fluoxetine acts by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin by inhibiting sertonin transporter.

4. Nucleic acids: Few anticancer drugs like cyclophosphamide binds to nucleic acids.

b. Example of drug is captopril.

Captopril reduces blood pressure by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) which is responsible for conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes vasoconstriction by increasing intracellular concentration of calcium through binding with AT1 receptors.