Journal article
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: an overview on drug discovery.
- D'hoedt D Department of Neurosciences, CMU, Genève, Switzerland. Dhoedt@medecine.unige.ch
- Bertrand D
- 2009-04-02
Published in:
- Expert opinion on therapeutic targets. - 2009
Allosteric Regulation
Analgesics
Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
Cardiovascular Diseases
Drug Discovery
Hearing
Humans
Myasthenia Gravis
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Nicotine
Nicotinic Agonists
Nicotinic Antagonists
Pain
Protein Subunits
Psoriasis
Pyridines
Receptors, Nicotinic
Schizophrenia
Smoking
Smoking Cessation
Tobacco Use Disorder
English
BACKGROUND
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that participate in many physiological functions. Receptors result from the assembly of five homologous or heterologous subunits that form the ligand-binding site and an ionic pore. In vertebrates, 17 subunits have been identified, alpha (1 - 10), beta (1 - 4), gamma, delta and epsilon. Assembly of different subunit combinations allows a diversity of physiological and pharmacological properties.
OBJECTIVE
To review the putative involvement of nAChRs in several diseases.
METHODS
We discuss the expression pattern of the subunits, the pharmacological tools for distinguishing them and their role in pathogenesis.
RESULTS/CONCLUSION
Long-standing efforts in this field should soon result in the finding of new molecules that might be applicable to situations ranging from neurological diseases to immune treatments.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that participate in many physiological functions. Receptors result from the assembly of five homologous or heterologous subunits that form the ligand-binding site and an ionic pore. In vertebrates, 17 subunits have been identified, alpha (1 - 10), beta (1 - 4), gamma, delta and epsilon. Assembly of different subunit combinations allows a diversity of physiological and pharmacological properties.
OBJECTIVE
To review the putative involvement of nAChRs in several diseases.
METHODS
We discuss the expression pattern of the subunits, the pharmacological tools for distinguishing them and their role in pathogenesis.
RESULTS/CONCLUSION
Long-standing efforts in this field should soon result in the finding of new molecules that might be applicable to situations ranging from neurological diseases to immune treatments.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1517/14728220902841045
- PMID 19335063
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/220301
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