Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Protein Receptors and Signaling Pathways

Description

This lecture explores the interaction between proteins, focusing on receptors and ligands. It delves into the structure of transmembrane proteins, the concept of signal transduction, and the role of neurotransmitters like dopamine. The discussion extends to the use of agonists and antagonists in pharmacology, with examples such as nicotine and curare. The lecture also touches on the impact of caffeine on adenosine receptors and the importance of protein-receptor affinity in targeting specific cells. The session concludes with a brief overview of competitive inhibition and the complexities of receptor interactions in biological systems.

This video is available exclusively on Mediaspace for a restricted audience. Please log in to MediaSpace to access it if you have the necessary permissions.

Watch on Mediaspace

Instructors (2)

Maartje Martina Cornelia Bastings

Romain Zufferey

Official source

Related concepts (27)

Receptor antagonist

A receptor antagonist is a type of receptor ligand or drug that blocks or dampens a biological response by binding to and blocking a receptor rather than activating it like an agonist. Antagonist drugs interfere in the natural operation of receptor proteins. They are sometimes called blockers; examples include alpha blockers, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers. In pharmacology, antagonists have affinity but no efficacy for their cognate receptors, and binding will disrupt the interaction and inhibit the function of an agonist or inverse agonist at receptors.

Receptor (biochemistry)

In biochemistry and pharmacology, receptors are chemical structures, composed of protein, that receive and transduce signals that may be integrated into biological systems. These signals are typically chemical messengers which bind to a receptor and produce physiological responses such as change in the electrical activity of a cell. For example, GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter inhibits electrical activity of neurons by binding to GABA_A receptors.

G protein-coupled receptor

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), also known as seven-(pass)-transmembrane domain receptors, 7TM receptors, heptahelical receptors, serpentine receptors, and G protein-linked receptors (GPLR), form a large group of evolutionarily related proteins that are cell surface receptors that detect molecules outside the cell and activate cellular responses. They are coupled with G proteins.

Agonist

An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the agonist, while an inverse agonist causes an action opposite to that of the agonist. From the Greek αγωνιστής (agōnistēs), contestant; champion; rival < αγων (agōn), contest, combat; exertion, struggle < αγω (agō), I lead, lead towards, conduct; drive Receptors can be activated by either endogenous agonists (such as hormones and neurotransmitters) or exogenous agonists (such as drugs), resulting in a biological response.

Signal transduction

Signal transduction is the process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell as a series of molecular events. Most commonly, protein phosphorylation is catalyzed by protein kinases, ultimately resulting in a cellular response. Proteins responsible for detecting stimuli are generally termed receptors, although in some cases the term sensor is used. The changes elicited by ligand binding (or signal sensing) in a receptor give rise to a biochemical cascade, which is a chain of biochemical events known as a signaling pathway.

Related lectures (31)

Pharmacodynamics: Ligand-Receptor Interactions and Drug Effects

Explores ligand-receptor interactions, drug effects, modulation mechanisms, and factors influencing drug responses.

Pharmacodynamics: Ligand-Receptor Binding and Drug Effects

Explores ligand-receptor binding, drug effects, efficacy, potency, and biased agonism in pharmacodynamics.

Pharmacodynamics exercises

Covers the analysis of binding measurements and toxin kinetics in pharmacodynamics.

Drug Targets: Receptors, Enzymes, and Transporters

Explores drug targets like receptors, enzymes, and transporters, focusing on top drug indications and receptor-mediated activation of G proteins.

Neurotransmitter Glutamate: Receptor Dynamics and Pharmacodynamics