Discussion Question : Explain the difference between ion channels and G proteins as they relate to signal transduction and targets of medications. How would you answer the following patient question:

signal transduction and targets of medications. Ion channels and G proteins are key components of cellular signal transduction, but with different functions and activation when it comes to signal transduction and targets of medications. Ion Channels refer to proteins that form pores in cell membranes for ions to pass through. Ion Channels can be voltage-gated and therefore, open in response to changes in electrical potential across the membrane. Ion Channels can also be ligand- gated which means they open in response to the binding of a specific molecule. Ion Channels can also be mechanically gated and therefore, open in response to physical stress (McGivern & Ding, 2020). When it comes to the target of medications, Ion channels are targets for many medications, such as calcium channel blockers used in treating hypertension (Raines et al., 2020). Actions of Ion Channels are different from G proteins because G proteins are a family of proteins involved in transmitting signals from various stimuli outside a cell to its interior. When a ligand binds to a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the G protein is activated and triggers a cascade of intracellular events (Odoemelam et al., 2020).  Many medications target GPCRs or the G proteins themselves, including certain antipsychotics and antidepressants (Goldin, 2023). From these descriptions, ion channels and G proteins are different in terms of their function, activation, and medication targets. First, ion channels have the function of allowing to pass through cell membranes while G protein has the function of transmitting signals from outside a cell to its interior. In terms of activation, ion channel activations include Voltage, ligand, or mechanically-gated while G protein activations include Ligand binding to a GPCR. Finally, the medication targets for ion channels include Calcium channel blockers while G protein includes Antipsychotics, antidepressants, etc. How would you answer the following patient question: My grandmother has a mental illness? I have the same genes as her. Will I also get the same mental illness? Genetics indeed plays a major role in the development of mental illness. However, genetics alone is not the only determinant and risk factor for mental illness. Several factors including biological, environmental, and psychological factors contribute to the development of mental illness. Just because MY grandmother has a mental illness, it does not necessarily mean that I will also develop the same condition. However, I have a higher risk than people without a family history of mental illness. References