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There are four main families of receptors: ligand-gated ion channels, G-protein coupled receptors, kinase-linked receptors and nuclear receptors.
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Essay 2: There are four main families of receptors: ligand-gated ion channels, G-protein coupled receptors, kinase-linked receptors and nuclear receptors. Describe the main characteristics and mechanism of action of each of these four families using suitable examples in each case. Receptors are found either on cell membranes or within cells themselves. In the body, they act as sensing elements which bring about the chemical communications that co-ordinate for the various functions occurring in different cells within the body. Most drug receptors tend to be protein in structure where they bind endogenous ligands such as numerous hormones, transmitters and cytokines. The activity of the majority of drugs is determined by their ability to bind to a specific receptor. This is as drugs act through receptors by binding to them to either initiate or to block (prevent) a response. In order to do this a drug must be as close a mimic of...
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