Peer Responses to Ion Channels and G Proteins in Signal Transduction – Implications for Medication and Genetic Mental Health Risks

Peer Responses to Ion Channels and G Proteins in Signal Transduction – Implications for Medication and Genetic Mental Health Risks

Response to Gladys Francis

Hello Gladys,

This post is clear and informative in that it gives an indication of how ion channels are actually different from G proteins as far as signal transduction and medication targets are concerned. In addition, your explanation regarding how these pathways are involved and why these are significant in pharmacology is commendable. To further this discussion, I would like to give a detailed analysis of the probable therapeutic advantages of activating and deactivating ion channels and GPCRs. Indeed, ion channels are involved in the functioning of biological processes and are part of the action of various psychopharmacological agents. As indicated by Mantas et al. (2021), the use of ion channel modulators can serve as a potential therapeutic procedure in the management of neurological disorders. For instance, the development of selective ion channel modulators has offered possible treatments for diseases like epilepsy and chronic pain.

On the other hand, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the majority targets for drug action. Given their involvement in various physiological processes, they can be targeted for therapeutic action. Recent progress in structural analysis of GPCR has allowed researchers to understand the mechanism of receptor signaling, which has been useful in creating better drugs with fewer side effects. For example, it is possible to use biased agonism, where a component would activate one signaling pathway and not another, therefore using the desired pathway for therapeutic purposes while avoiding the side effects of the undesired one (Cary et al., 2022).

References

Cary, B. P., Zhang, X., Cao, J., Johnson, R. M., Piper, S., Gerrard, E., Wootten, D., & Sexton, P. M. (2022). New insights into the structure and function of class B1 GPCRs. Endocrine Reviews, 44(3), 492–517. https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnac033

Mantas, I., Saarinen, M., Xu, Z.-Q. D., & Svenningsson, P. (2021). Update on GPCR-based targets for the development of novel antidepressants. Molecular Psychiatry, 27(1), 534–558. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-021-01040-1

Responding to Rita Apreku Fiakpui

Hi Rita,

Your brief and concise note provides an overview of the general functions of ion channels and G proteins and how they are related to the field of pharmacology. It is also commendable that you have explained the genetic factors in, or the part genes play in, the development of psychiatric disorders. In this context, it is also pertinent to mention that in the management of psychiatric disorders, increasing emphasis has been placed on the combined effects of genes and environment. For instance, Andreassen et al.’s (2023) research uses personalized medicine, especially genetic testing, to determine the right treatment for a given patient depending on their genetic predisposition. Also, pharmacogenomics, which entrenches an understanding of how genes determine an individual’s response to drugs, is fast becoming an invaluable resource in enhancing the effectiveness of psychopharmacological interventions.

Moreover, environmental factors like stress and trauma play a role in determining mental health since they modulate the expression of genes that have been inherited. One of the different types of mechanisms involves a process known as epigenetic changes, which involve changes in the expression of genes without changing the underlying DNA structure. These modifications depend on, among others, nutrient intake, stressors, and drugs and bear enormous implications in studying and managing psychiatric diseases (Jiang et al., 2019). The union of genetic research and informatics provides physicians with a better outlook on the causes and treatments of mental health disorders.

References

Andreassen, O. A., Hindley, G. F. L., Frei, O., & Smeland, O. B. (2023). New insights from the last decade of research in psychiatric genetics: discoveries, challenges, and clinical implications. World Psychiatry, 22(1), 4–24. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21034

Jiang, S., Postovit, L., Cattaneo, A., Binder, E. B., & Aitchison, K. J. (2019). Epigenetic modifications in stress response genes associated with childhood trauma. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10(808). https://doi.org/10.3389/

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Post a response answering the following:

Explain the difference between ion channels and G proteins as they relate to signal transduction and targets of medications.

Peer Responses to Ion Channels and G Proteins in Signal Transduction – Implications for Medication and Genetic Mental Health Risks

How would you answer the following patient question:
My grandmother has a mental illness. I have the same genes as her. Will I also get the same mental illness?