Negative allosteric modulator

Negative Allosteric Modulator (NAM) is a type of pharmacological agent that decreases the activity of a protein when it binds to a site other than the protein's active site. This site is known as the allosteric site. NAMs are used in the field of medicine to regulate the activity of proteins, particularly enzymes and receptors, in a way that can be beneficial for treating various diseases.

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism of action of a NAM involves binding to the allosteric site of a protein. This binding changes the shape of the protein, which in turn affects the protein's function. Specifically, the binding of a NAM decreases the protein's activity. This is in contrast to positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), which increase protein activity.

Applications in Medicine

NAMs have a wide range of applications in medicine. They are used to regulate the activity of proteins that are involved in various diseases. For example, NAMs that target the GABA receptor are used in the treatment of epilepsy and anxiety disorders. NAMs that target the Glutamate receptor are used in the treatment of schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.

Research and Development

Research and development of NAMs is a rapidly growing field in pharmacology. The ability to selectively decrease the activity of specific proteins offers a new approach to drug development. This approach has the potential to lead to the development of more effective and safer drugs.

See Also

• Allosteric regulation
• Pharmacology
• Drug development