Applications of Pharmacogenetics in Revealing Variations in Pharmacodynamics

Abstract

In the past two decades many drugs were discovered through the developments taking place in molecular biology techniques. Drug action is now more defined. In addition to known pharmacogenetic variations on drug metabolism, variations in drug targets are also emerging. These targets include receptors, transporters, enzymes, channels and intracellular coupling processes. This review article presents the latest findings of genetic variations in pharmacological targets related to disorders of major systems such as central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and the respiratory system especially in relation to asthma and the HLA antigen genotype in hypersensitivity reactions.