metabotropními

Metabotropními is a Czech term that translates to "metabotropic" in English. In biology and pharmacology, metabotropic receptors are a class of membrane receptors that do not form ion channels. Instead, when activated by a ligand, they initiate a cascade of intracellular events through signal transduction pathways. This process typically involves the activation of G proteins, which then modulate the activity of various enzymes and ion channels elsewhere in the cell. This indirect mechanism of action is in contrast to ionotropic receptors, which directly open or close an ion channel when bound by their ligand. Metabotropic receptors are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including neurotransmission, hormone signaling, and sensory perception. Their slower but more prolonged effects are crucial for modulating cellular responses and maintaining homeostasis. Examples of neurotransmitters that act through metabotropic receptors include dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, although acetylcholine also acts through ionotropic receptors. The signaling pathways activated by metabotropic receptors can lead to changes in gene expression, protein synthesis, and overall cellular excitability, making them important targets for drug development.