What is the Significance of Receptor Selectivity and Affinity?
Receptor selectivity and affinity are crucial in determining the potency and specificity of a toxicant's effect. High affinity indicates strong binding between the ligand and receptor, often correlating with increased potency. Selectivity refers to a ligand's preference to bind to a specific receptor subtype over others. Understanding these properties helps in predicting the toxicological profile of a compound and developing selective receptor modulators that can mitigate adverse effects.