What medicines bind to receptor proteins?

Question

Please help. I'm having trouble finding the answer. :(

Answer 1

That's a pretty general question. Lots of medications bind to lots of different receptor proteins. We've got millions of different kinds of receptors in our bodies.

Some neuropsychiatric medications are known for binding to receptor proteins. Zyprexa(TM) (olanzapine) binds to dopamine receptors in parts of the brain in a way that blocks their function. Normally, of course, our own bodies' dopamine binds to those receptors and activates them. Putting those two ideas together, we see that Zyprexa acts against dopamine by blocking the dopamine receptor. This is how Zyprexa, and many other drugs in its class (the atypical antipsychotics) combats schizophrenia and other psychoses.

For contrast, an example of a medication that does NOT bind to a receptor protein is Prozac (and the rest of its family, the SSRIs, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Rather than sticking to and activating serotonin receptors, these medications block the pumps (transport channels) that suck serotonin back in from the synapse (junction between neurons) into the neuron. The result is more serotonin in the synapse; this results in more "serotonergic" transmission since there is more serotonin sitting around available to help your neurons communicate using.

Since your question was so general, I'm not sure if I answered it well. Please let me know if you need anything more specific - I just provided an example here for you.

Thanks!