Any Interest in Genetics?

[Laudaphun]

I've become fascinated with genetics after being exposed to some of the stuff we are doing in college. I'm the kind of person that is always thinking of wild ideas, and the new advances in genetics really adds a whole new dimension to pharmacology and much else. Does anyone else have a particular interest in genetics? I'm wanting to buy a good up-to-date text, my university does not require purchase of a text. I'm probably gonna order one before anyone has a chance to respond, but still would appreciate a recommendation.

I remember a while ago, we had an interesting thread involving duplication of the gene responsible for CYP enzyme expression, which I thought made for a good discussion. It seems that we are becoming capable of quite a bit. Often we see demonstration of genetic sequences of humans compared with other mammals, showing how much similarity between say... a human and an ape. Evolutionists show how the similarity of most of the DNA. However, I am curious about the fact that our bodys have receptors for psychoactive chemicals found in various plants. Does this mean, that specific plants are key links in the evolutionary path? For humans to have evolved from a single celled organism, where would they have gotten the genetic code responsible for receptors. For a long while it was not understood why we have receptors in our bodies for morphine, but then it was discovered that not only do our bodies produce endorphins which bind to those sites, but also that our body actually produces morphine. I guess what I've been wondering about is what evolutionary ties there are between the opium poppy or it's ancestors and us. Also, a few other plants that produce select chemicals that are very similar to key chemicals in our own bodies. Perhaps I'm stating the obvious, as I am not an expert on genetics or evolution by any means. Also, the assumed role of morphine in the opium poppy is self-preservation, as it is considered a poison to would be predators, however if our own genetic code originated at the same place in the evolutionary chain, then it is interesting how our bodies have adapted it for far different and more diverse roles in the body. This is something I intend on looking into and am eager to hear what others have to say on the subject.

[fiveleggedrat]

I love to theorize why drugs act as they do, and why our bodies developed the responses to them they do. I enjoy hearing about the endogenous cannabinoids and opioid peptides, and the DMT type things too, very fascinating.

I have a special interest in genetics and tolerance, since Swim learned a while ago he has an abnormal profile, and is much more tolerant to drugs, and becomes tolerant much quicker than the average person.

[Burnt]

However, I am curious about the fact that our bodys have receptors for psychoactive chemicals found in various plants. Does this mean, that specific plants are key links in the evolutionary path?

Not necessarily. Look at it from the plants point of view and it becomes more clear. The plant makes chemicals to defend itself/communicate ecologically and it has no idea what will work and what won't. The plants that make the best chemicals to defend themselves without compromising their own fitness do best and live and evolve on. The fact that the compounds interact with human brains is just because the plant happened to make a chemical that effects us. Its that simple.

For a long while it was not understood why we have receptors in our bodies for morphine, but then it was discovered that not only do our bodies produce endorphins which bind to those sites, but also that our body actually produces morphine.

Yes but again look at it the other way around. One of the only ways to find a receptor is to find a compound that binds to it. People knew morphine was active on humans so you could use morphine to try and isolate the protein/receptor that interacts with it. Then you can find the compound in the body that the is the endogenous ligand after you find the receptor. The order of which things are discovered usually goes like this. The same story goes for cannabinoid receptors etc.

I guess what I've been wondering about is what evolutionary ties there are between the opium poppy or it's ancestors and us. Also, a few other plants that produce select chemicals that are very similar to key chemicals in our own bodies.

Humans found out the plant effects then so they used it and cultivated it.
If you are wondering why the chemicals are similar well they don't always have to be similar in structure to have a similar affinity for a receptor. Also not all drugs act by interacting with receptors necessarily but other proteins involved in recycling neurotransmitters etc. Plus similar structures are sometimes found because biosynthetically they are easy to make or that evolution just allowed for these compounds to be formed in totally unrelated organisms, it all fits in with evolutionary models.

Also, the assumed role of morphine in the opium poppy is self-preservation, as it is considered a poison to would be predators, however if our own genetic code originated at the same place in the evolutionary chain, then it is interesting how our bodies have adapted it for far different and more diverse roles in the body.

The poppy makes alkaloids for defense. People just got clever enough to use it for medical uses. Thats all. Again the plant didn't know it would work and our receptors were not made for morphine they evolved with our endogenous endorphins.

Sorry SWIM is actively involved in this kind of research so he can go on and on and on about it. Any other questions I am down to shoot the shit.