Molecular Pharmacology — Mechanisms Of Drug Action

Abstract

Molecular pharmacology delves into the detailed interactions between drugs and biological molecules at the cellular and molecular scales. Unlike traditional pharmacology, which looks at the overall effects of drugs on the body, molecular pharmacology focuses on how drugs interact with specific targets, uncovering the underlying mechanisms that drive both therapeutic effects and side effects. This discipline seeks to answer key questions about how drugs identify and bind to their targets, the cellular responses they initiate, and why individuals may respond differently to the same medication. Recent progress in biotechnology and molecular biology—such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and high-throughput screening techniques—has revolutionized drug development by facilitating the discovery of new drug targets and the creation of highly targeted treatments for conditions including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. This article reviews fundamental concepts such as receptor theory, drug-target binding, and signal transduction pathways, with an emphasis on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which represent a significant class of drug targets. Gaining a thorough understanding of how drugs function at the molecular level is essential for designing effective new therapies, predicting possible adverse effects, and advancing personalized medicine approaches.