Structural activity relationships for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat GERD
By: Vytis Daukševičius, (Westbourne School Penarth)
Summary
My project speaks about the class of drugs called protein pump inhibtors to treat a condition called GERD, gastroephageal reflux disease, and structural acitivity differences between two common examples of protein pump inhibitors omeprazole and esomeprazole and how those differences affect pharmacodyamics and pharmacogenetics.
There are 3 main classes of GERD drugs such as H2-receptor antagonists, antacids, and PPIs, protein pump inhibitors mainly bind to an enzyme called H/K-ATPase, which stops one of the final steps of acid secretion in the production of gastric acid. All of these treatments refer to a treatment theory called acid suppression, which essentially means supressing the amount of stomach acid to stop acid reflux from happening.
Both drugs analyzed are almost exactly the same, however in 3D space their arangement is different and they are enantiomers. Omeprazole contains both R and S enantiomers, while esomeprazole only contains the S enantiomer and is non Racemic. These differences create differences in how fast the drug is metabolized, however its effects are the exact same. The key idea of this poster that I want to emphasize is how very small differences in arangement of atoms and bonds can cause large differences in how the molecules bind to the active sites of enzymes.
Diagram of the mechanism of action of a proton pump inhibitor, Morris, Nighot, 2023.
(Figure representation created by the author: Vytis Daukševičius)
Video Presentation
Impact Statement
This program was highly valuable in learning important pharmacological concepts not only through lectrures but also through sel investigation and the project. I found the experience to be really trasformational and educational. I believe that the program is not only good for gaining knowledge about a specific field of study but also is great for personal growth, as managing my time required a great deal of organisation. I think that ELIO academy has done a great job in motivating to pursue stuies in the field of biocheistry and phramacology further and it has showed the deep and rigoursous academic standards that I should attempt to uphold in the future. Overall, such a research environment with like minded student I believe can only be beneficial!
Student Reflection
By: Vytis Daukševičius. The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Elio Academy.