Question

6. Cocaine is often called an "indirect agonist" of dopamine receptors. Why do you think this term is used? 7. If someone has a somatic mutation that affects their CYP2D6 gene (and thus drug metabolism), is that person's child likely to also have drug metabolism differences? Why?

Answer 1

Ans 6 :

The species that indirectly stimulates the action or release of other biological response from the receptor is called as an indirect agonist.

Cocaine is called as the indirect agonist of dopamine receptors because it prevents the uptake of dopamine by binding to the dopamine transporter protein (DAT) . This causes an increase in the concentration of the dopamine in extracellular fluid and also the dopamine receptor signalling increases.