Receptor antagonist

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Receptor Antagonist

A Receptor Antagonist (pronounced: rɪˈsɛptər æntəˌɡɒnɪst) is a type of pharmacological agent that inhibits the activity of receptors in the body's cells.

Etymology

The term "Receptor Antagonist" is derived from the Latin word 'antagonista', meaning 'opponent' or 'rival', and the Greek word 'receptum', meaning 'received'.

Function

Receptor Antagonists work by binding to the active site of a receptor without activating it, thereby blocking the binding of endogenous ligands or agonists. This prevents the receptor from triggering a cellular response, effectively inhibiting its function.

Types

There are several types of Receptor Antagonists, including:

  • Competitive Antagonists: These bind to the same site as the agonist, but do not activate the receptor. They compete with agonists for binding, and their effects can be overcome by increasing the concentration of the agonist.
  • Non-competitive Antagonists: These bind to a different site on the receptor, and their effects cannot be overcome by increasing the concentration of the agonist.
  • Inverse Agonists: These bind to the same site as the agonist, but induce a response opposite to that of the agonist.

Examples

Examples of Receptor Antagonists include drugs like Beta Blockers, which block the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline on Beta Receptors, and Antihistamines, which block the action of histamine on Histamine Receptors.

Related Terms

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