Physiological Molecular Targets

Physiological molecular targets is a broad, collective term used in pharmacology and drug discovery to describe the various biological entities—primarily proteins such as receptors, enzymes, ion channels, and transporters—that serve as the site of action for drugs or endogenous ligands [1, 5]. These targets are the fundamental units through which chemical substances exert their physiological effects, initiating biochemical cascades that lead to therapeutic outcomes or toxicities [2, 6]. The identification, validation, and characterization of these targets are critical steps in the development of new medications, as they define the drug's mechanism of action and selectivity [3, 8]. Because the term refers to a general category rather than a specific molecule, it encompasses a vast array of distinct proteins across multiple functional classes [4, 9]. In research, the term is frequently used to discuss the systemic mechanisms responsible for pharmacological outcomes and the interaction of bioactive compounds with the human body [7, 10]. Modulation of these targets can involve various mechanisms, including agonism, antagonism, or enzyme inhibition, depending on the desired therapeutic effect. Understanding the distribution and expression of these targets across different tissues is essential for predicting potential side effects and the overall safety profile of a drug candidate.

Other names

Drug targetsTherapeutic targetsBiological targetsMolecular targetsPharmacological targets

Agonism, Antagonism, Inhibition, Activation, Modulation