Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Quantifying Agonist Activity at G Protein-coupled Receptors
Published on: December 26, 2011
Quantitative Measure of Receptor Agonist and Modulator Equi-Response and Equi-Occupancy Selectivity
1Merck Research Laboratories, Department of In Vitro Pharmacology, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA.
Abstract:
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an important class of drug targets. Quantitative analysis by global curve fitting of properly designed dose-dependent GPCR agonism and allosterism data permits the determination of all affinity and efficacy parameters based on a general operational model. We report here a quantitative and panoramic measure of receptor agonist and modulator equi-response and equi-occupancy selectivity calculated from these parameters. The selectivity values help to differentiate not only one agonist or modulator from another, but on-target from off-target receptor or functional pathway as well. Furthermore, in conjunction with target site free drug concentrations and endogenous agonist tones, the allosterism parameters and selectivity values may be used to predict in vivo efficacy and safety margins.
Related Concept Videos
Quantitative Aspects of Drug-Receptor Interaction
The Two-State Receptor Model
The binding affinity of a drug determines its interaction with...
Dose-Response Relationship: Overview
Spare Receptors
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Agonist
Agonists can bind to receptors in different ways. Some agonists bind directly to the receptor's active site, mimicking the endogenous...
Drug-Receptor Interactions
Several parameters, such as the drug's affinity for its receptor and its efficacy, which is its ability to activate the receptor, determine the drug's effect on the tissue....

