Development and perspectives of fluorescent receptor assays : a case study with benzodiazepines

Receptors play an important role in animals and man. They interact with hormones and neurotransmitters, initiating a cascade of reactions, resulting in a particular effect. Many drugs and poisons interact with these receptors, mimicking or antagonising the effects caused by either hormones or neurotransmitters. The interaction of a compound with a receptor can be described as a reversible binding process. The binding strength or affinity is generally related to the potency of the drug. Zie: Summary