BCH 261 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Non-Covalent Interactions, Fentanyl, Gtpase
4 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Fentanyl binding to mu-opioid receptors causes receptor activation: activates gtpase proteins that in turn lead to changes in neurons where the end result is a reduction in the sensation of pain. Binds more tightly to mu-opioid receptors than morphine and much more tight than natural brain hormones. Very low doses of fentanyl can cause maximal binding to mu-opioid receptors. Many non-covalent interactions are much weaker than covalent bonds but are important because there are many of them (quantity over quality) Common denominator to chemical reactions in cells. Critical factor that establishes the structure and role of proteins, nucleic acids and membranes. The key to water"s role in life is its a(cid:271)ility to hydrogen (cid:271)ond. Weak electrostatic attraction between a partially negative o (acceptor) and a partially positive h atom (donor) Its weak (~20kj/mol to break bond vs. ~500 kj/mol to break a o-h covalent bond)
