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Pharmacology · Receptor biology · continued

Biased agonism: a real phenomenon, an over-used explanation posts 31–60

This is a continuation of a long topic, addressed by post number rather than by page. Start at post 1.

Z
ZieglerTL3Regular2 Mar 2025#31

Worth separating two things that post #27 runs together.

Species differences: rodent studies show the same compounds produce effects in rodents that predict human effects reasonably well for semaglutide and tirzepatide. The track record is less clear for novel compounds with less human data.

26 likes 17mo
ON
o.nybergTL23 Mar 2025#32
RS
r.scholtenTL2Member3 Mar 2025#33

Amylin receptor signalling: amylin promotes satiety and slows gastric emptying through a receptor distinct from GLP-1. The hypothesis behind combination therapy is two complementary satiety mechanisms.

2 likes 17mo
GV
g.verhoevenTL2 Moderator3 Mar 2025#34
hana.sato, post #13: Worth separating two things that post #9 runs together. Bias and desensitisation: receptors can be biased (preferentially activating some downstream pathways over others) and can desensitise over time (responding less to the same stimulus with repeated exposure). Both might affect long-term response to these compounds. Go to post

I disagree with the reply above, and I think the disagreement is substantive rather than terminological.

The distinction being drawn does not survive when you look at the published data for this specific question. I would be glad to be shown wrong on this, because the version I am arguing against is more convenient.

0 likes in reply to #13 17mo
W
WoodhouseTL2Member3 Mar 2025#35

On post #31 — agreed on the reasoning, with one qualification.

Bias and desensitisation: receptors can be biased (preferentially activating some downstream pathways over others) and can desensitise over time (responding less to the same stimulus with repeated exposure). Both might affect long-term response to these compounds.

19 likes 17mo
CV
ca.vermeulenTL2 Moderator3 Mar 2025#36

post #35 answers the question as asked. The question underneath it is different.

Central versus peripheral action: GLP-1 agonism works through both central nervous system effects (appetite) and peripheral effects (gastric motility, insulin). The balance is not fully characterised.

8 likes 17mo
DW
diluent_watchTL2Member4 Mar 2025#37

Practical note that does not fit anywhere else. Whatever you conclude from this topic, write down what you did and when. The single most useful thing in your own records is not any individual result; it is that they are dated and consecutive.

0 likes 17mo
ZV
z.vogelTL2 Moderator4 Mar 2025#38
ca.vermeulen, post #36: post #35 answers the question as asked. The question underneath it is different. Central versus peripheral action: GLP-1 agonism works through both central nervous system effects (appetite) and peripheral effects (gastric motility, insulin). The balance is not fully characterised. Go to post

Cross-reactivity and selectivity: the compounds are not perfectly selective for their target receptors. Semaglutide has some activity on other receptors; tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and GIP with different affinities. The off-target effects are part of the overall pharmacology.

0 likes in reply to #36 17mo
EL
endpoint_lineTL34 Mar 2025#39
ZA
z.adeyemiTL2 Moderator4 Mar 2025#40

post #39 is right about the mechanism and I think understates the practical bit.

Long-term receptor changes: very little is known about what happens to receptor expression, signalling, and downstream effects over years of exposure to these compounds. That is exactly the knowledge gap phase 3 trials exist to fill.

25 likes 17mo
MR
m.radichTL2 Moderator4 Mar 2025#41
figure_review, post #3: For anyone arriving from a search: the marked solution above is the direct answer, and the replies underneath it add the caveats that make it safe to use. Go to post

GLP-1 receptor signalling: the GLP-1 receptor is expressed on beta cells (insulin secretion), on neurons (appetite and gastric motility), and on myocardium (contractility). Different tissues respond to the same signal in different ways.

10 likes in reply to #3 17mo
SC
s.chowdhuryTL3Regular5 Mar 2025#42
j.asante, post #12: GIP receptor signalling: the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor (GIP) is involved in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. GIP agonism is thought to contribute to tirzepatide's effect but the mechanism is not fully settled. Go to post

Two things before anyone answers the substance.

First, the context in the first post is clear and specific. Second, the question is framed so that an answer can actually address it. Both are the norm here and both matter more than they sound.

23 likes in reply to #12 17mo
AA
a.adeyemiTL2 Moderator5 Mar 2025#43

This follows post #40 rather than contradicting it.

GIP receptor signalling: the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor (GIP) is involved in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. GIP agonism is thought to contribute to tirzepatide's effect but the mechanism is not fully settled.

0 likes 17mo
QL
quiet_lurkerTL2Regular5 Mar 2025#44

Glucagon receptor agonism: glucagon receptor agonism increases energy expenditure and promotes hepatic fat oxidation. The mechanism is distinct from GLP-1 and GIP agonism and the clinical consequences are still being characterised.

1 like 17mo
AN
a.nybergTL2 Moderator5 Mar 2025#45
s.chowdhury, post #42: Two things before anyone answers the substance. First, the context in the first post is clear and specific. Second, the question is framed so that an answer can actually address it. Both are the norm here and both matter more than they sound. Go to post

I disagree with the reply above, and I think the disagreement is substantive rather than terminological.

The distinction being drawn does not survive when you look at the published data for this specific question. I would be glad to be shown wrong on this, because the version I am arguing against is more convenient.

6 likes in reply to #42 17mo
AP
asking_properlyTL1Member5 Mar 2025#46
sa.rasmussen, post #8: Coming back to post #6, because the follow-up matters more than the original answer. Having read the exchange above, I think I was wrong earlier in this topic and I want to say so plainly rather than quietly editing. The correction was fair and I had been repeating something I had not checked carefully enough. Go to post

Cross-reactivity and selectivity: the compounds are not perfectly selective for their target receptors. Semaglutide has some activity on other receptors; tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and GIP with different affinities. The off-target effects are part of the overall pharmacology.

16 likes in reply to #8 17mo
GB
g.bakkenTL2 Moderator5 Mar 2025 · edited#47

Picking up post #44: that is the part I would want checked first.

Pharmacological class effects: all GLP-1 agonists slow gastric emptying and suppress appetite. Those are class effects, not unique to one compound. Effects that differ between compounds are usually about potency or receptor selectivity.

32 likes 17mo
ST
sterile_tableTL36 Mar 2025#48
NS
n.silvaTL2 Moderator6 Mar 2025 · edited#49
hana.sato, post #13: Worth separating two things that post #9 runs together. Bias and desensitisation: receptors can be biased (preferentially activating some downstream pathways over others) and can desensitise over time (responding less to the same stimulus with repeated exposure). Both might affect long-term response to these compounds. Go to post

post #48 is right about the mechanism and I think understates the practical bit.

Amylin receptor signalling: amylin promotes satiety and slows gastric emptying through a receptor distinct from GLP-1. The hypothesis behind combination therapy is two complementary satiety mechanisms.

3 likes in reply to #13 17mo
MH
ms_hollowayTL4Mass spectrometrist6 Mar 2025#50

Worth separating two things that post #46 runs together.

Bias and desensitisation: receptors can be biased (preferentially activating some downstream pathways over others) and can desensitise over time (responding less to the same stimulus with repeated exposure). Both might affect long-term response to these compounds.

11 likes 17mo
LV
l.vermeulenTL2 Moderator6 Mar 2025#51

Central versus peripheral action: GLP-1 agonism works through both central nervous system effects (appetite) and peripheral effects (gastric motility, insulin). The balance is not fully characterised.

0 likes 17mo
N
NardoneTL2Member6 Mar 2025#52

Thank you for the correction. I have edited my earlier post with a note rather than silently, so the thread still makes sense to read. The error was mine and it was the kind that comes from remembering a figure instead of looking it up.

28 likes 17mo
TV
t.vargaTL2 Moderator7 Mar 2025#53

On post #49 — agreed on the reasoning, with one qualification.

Glucagon receptor agonism: glucagon receptor agonism increases energy expenditure and promotes hepatic fat oxidation. The mechanism is distinct from GLP-1 and GIP agonism and the clinical consequences are still being characterised.

14 likes 17mo
AK
a.kwiatkowskiTL2Member7 Mar 2025#54
a.aguirre, post #14: Amylin receptor signalling: amylin promotes satiety and slows gastric emptying through a receptor distinct from GLP-1. The hypothesis behind combination therapy is two complementary satiety mechanisms. Go to post

GIP receptor signalling: the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor (GIP) is involved in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. GIP agonism is thought to contribute to tirzepatide's effect but the mechanism is not fully settled.

5 likes in reply to #14 17mo
MN
m.nwosuTL2 Moderator7 Mar 2025#55
a.nyberg, post #45: I disagree with the reply above, and I think the disagreement is substantive rather than terminological. The distinction being drawn does not survive when you look at the published data for this specific question. I would be glad to be shown wrong on this, because the version I am arguing against is more convenient. Go to post

Having read the exchange above, I think I was wrong earlier in this topic and I want to say so plainly rather than quietly editing.

The correction was fair and I had been repeating something I had not checked carefully enough.

0 likes in reply to #45 17mo
EK
e.kjeldsenTL2Member7 Mar 2025#56

Long-term receptor changes: very little is known about what happens to receptor expression, signalling, and downstream effects over years of exposure to these compounds. That is exactly the knowledge gap phase 3 trials exist to fill.

21 likes 17mo
PL
p.lindqvistTL2 Moderator7 Mar 2025 · edited#57

Worth separating two things that post #53 runs together.

Species differences: rodent studies show the same compounds produce effects in rodents that predict human effects reasonably well for semaglutide and tirzepatide. The track record is less clear for novel compounds with less human data.

9 likes 17mo
CE
crossover_entryTL3Regular8 Mar 2025#58
formulary_notes, post #9: Cross-reactivity and selectivity: the compounds are not perfectly selective for their target receptors. Semaglutide has some activity on other receptors; tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and GIP with different affinities. The off-target effects are part of the overall pharmacology. Go to post

post #57 is right about the mechanism and I think understates the practical bit.

Pharmacological class effects: all GLP-1 agonists slow gastric emptying and suppress appetite. Those are class effects, not unique to one compound. Effects that differ between compounds are usually about potency or receptor selectivity.

2 likes in reply to #9 17mo
EB
e.bakkenTL2 Moderator8 Mar 2025#59
sa.rasmussen, post #8: Coming back to post #6, because the follow-up matters more than the original answer. Having read the exchange above, I think I was wrong earlier in this topic and I want to say so plainly rather than quietly editing. The correction was fair and I had been repeating something I had not checked carefully enough. Go to post

Coming back to post #57, because the follow-up matters more than the original answer.

Cross-reactivity and selectivity: the compounds are not perfectly selective for their target receptors. Semaglutide has some activity on other receptors; tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and GIP with different affinities. The off-target effects are part of the overall pharmacology.

29 likes in reply to #8 17mo
CR
crossover_reviewTL3Regular8 Mar 2025#60

Central versus peripheral action: GLP-1 agonism works through both central nervous system effects (appetite) and peripheral effects (gastric motility, insulin). The balance is not fully characterised.

15 likes 17mo