The principal targets for drug action
Hugh McGavock · 2017
The four main targets for drug action: receptors, ion channels, enzymes, carrier molecules. In each of these four cases, most drugs are effective because they bind to particular target proteins. This specificity is reciprocal: individual classes of drug bind only to certain targets, and individual targets recognise only certain classes of drug. The example of enzyme-blocking drugs is the monoamine oxidase inhibitor group, which are still used occasionally in cases of depression that have not responded to other agents. Endogenous hormones and some drugs pass through the cell membrane and attach to receptors in the cytoplasm. However, no drugs are completely specific in their actions, which is the reason for the unwanted side-effects of commonly used drugs. The statins are another example of enzyme-inhibiting drugs. These drugs are very valuable in cardiovascular prophylaxis and their action is now well understood.