From toxins targeting ligand gated ion channels to therapeutic molecules

Toxins (Basel). 2011 Mar;3(3):260-93. doi: 10.3390/toxins3030260. Epub 2011 Mar 21.

Abstract

Ligand-gated ion channels (LGIC) play a central role in inter-cellular communication. This key function has two consequences: (i) these receptor channels are major targets for drug discovery because of their potential involvement in numerous human brain diseases; (ii) they are often found to be the target of plant and animal toxins. Together this makes toxin/receptor interactions important to drug discovery projects. Therefore, toxins acting on LGIC are presented and their current/potential therapeutic uses highlighted.

Keywords: AMPA; GABA; Glycine; Kainate; NMDA; P2X; Serotonin; nAChR.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • Humans
  • Ligand-Gated Ion Channels / agonists*
  • Ligand-Gated Ion Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ligand-Gated Ion Channels / chemistry
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Binding
  • Toxins, Biological / chemistry
  • Toxins, Biological / pharmacology*
  • Toxins, Biological / poisoning

Substances

  • Ligand-Gated Ion Channels
  • Toxins, Biological