Question

Pharmacogenomic Question:

What are the implications when the receptor has a SNP on the binding site of the agonist/antagonist non-competitive antagonist or allosteric modifier?

Answer 1

Single nucleotide polymorphisms occur when there is a single nucleotide substitution occurring in any particular position in the genome. These changes or small mutations aid in many different processes in various fields including the pharmacogenomics. The drugs have various receptors to which the targeted drug binds and shows the effect. Any genetic variations like SNPs, if present in the drug receptors or the drug transporters, can reduce or alter the absorption, distribution and elimination of the drugs in the body. The altered mutation can cause a change in the metabolic rate of the drugs and thus affect the drug functioning. If there is an SNP in the binding site of agonist/antagonist, the modified receptor won't be able to aallow binding and proper functioning of the two antagonistic molecules. The agonist, if is allowed to do a proper functioning to some extent, a single mutation would not allow the antagonist to inhibit the effect of the agonist and vice versa. Any SNP in the receptors of the drugs can not only inhibit the functioning of the drug but also can cause adverse effects vis-a-vis accumulation of the drugs in the body.

On the contrary, SNPs are very useful in studying the drug target mechanisms as the mutational change may alter the enzymatic activity. Moreover, various new drug targets can be designed by altering a single nucleotide in the receptors for potent drug mechanisms.