Abstract
Voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV) channels are transmembrane proteins primarily formed by an ion-conducting α 1 subunit that can associate with auxiliary β and α2δ subunits. Ca2+ entering the cell through these channels serves as a versatile second messenger of electrical signaling, initiating numerous different cellular processes ranging from gene expression to cell fertilization, neuronal transmission and cell death. CaV channels, as other ion channels, are targets for numerous ligands including naturally occurring peptide toxins. Some of these peptide toxins are invaluable tools for studying their structure and function and have potential therapeutic applications. Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge regarding the structure and function of CaV channels as well as their role in human disease, and highlight some of the growing applications of peptide toxins targeting CaV channels. Analysis and understanding of the molecular strategy used by these peptide toxins might allow the design of novel classes of therapeutic agents acting on specific targets with high selectivity and efficacy.
Keywords: Ca2+ channels, Cav channels, Conotoxins, Neuropathic pain, Ziconotide.
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Toxins Targeting Voltage-Activated Ca2+ Channels and their Potential Biomedical Applications
Volume: 15 Issue: 7
Author(s): Maria A. Gandini, Alejandro Sandoval and Ricardo Felix
Affiliation:
Keywords: Ca2+ channels, Cav channels, Conotoxins, Neuropathic pain, Ziconotide.
Abstract: Voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV) channels are transmembrane proteins primarily formed by an ion-conducting α 1 subunit that can associate with auxiliary β and α2δ subunits. Ca2+ entering the cell through these channels serves as a versatile second messenger of electrical signaling, initiating numerous different cellular processes ranging from gene expression to cell fertilization, neuronal transmission and cell death. CaV channels, as other ion channels, are targets for numerous ligands including naturally occurring peptide toxins. Some of these peptide toxins are invaluable tools for studying their structure and function and have potential therapeutic applications. Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge regarding the structure and function of CaV channels as well as their role in human disease, and highlight some of the growing applications of peptide toxins targeting CaV channels. Analysis and understanding of the molecular strategy used by these peptide toxins might allow the design of novel classes of therapeutic agents acting on specific targets with high selectivity and efficacy.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Gandini A. Maria, Sandoval Alejandro and Felix Ricardo, Toxins Targeting Voltage-Activated Ca2+ Channels and their Potential Biomedical Applications, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2015; 15 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026615666150225112605
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026615666150225112605 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Chemistry Based on Natural Products for Therapeutic Purposes
The development of new pharmaceuticals for a wide range of medical conditions has long relied on the identification of promising natural products (NPs). There are over sixty percent of cancer, infectious illness, and CNS disease medications that include an NP pharmacophore, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Since NP ...read more
Current Trends in Drug Discovery Based on Artificial Intelligence and Computer-Aided Drug Design
Drug development discovery has faced several challenges over the years. In fact, the evolution of classical approaches to modern methods using computational methods, or Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), has shown promising and essential results in any drug discovery campaign. Among these methods, molecular docking is one of the most notable ...read more
Drug Discovery in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), we have witnessed a significant boom in AI techniques for drug discovery. AI techniques are increasingly integrated and accelerating the drug discovery process. These developments have not only attracted the attention of academia and industry but also raised important questions regarding the selection ...read more
From Biodiversity to Chemical Diversity: Focus of Flavonoids
Flavonoids are the largest group of polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites arising from the essential aromatic amino acid phenylalanine (or more rarely from tyrosine) via the phenylpropanoid pathway. The flavan nucleus is the basic 15-carbon skeleton of flavonoids (C6-C3-C6), which consists of two phenyl rings (A and B) and a heterocyclic ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
TMS - A New Neuroimaging Combinational Tool to Study Brain Function
Current Medical Imaging Ultrasonic Assisted Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking of Chalcone-based 1,5-benzodiazepine as Potential Anticonvulsant Agents
Current Enzyme Inhibition Immunomodulatory Properties of Antibiotics
Current Molecular Pharmacology Rivastigmine for Refractory REM Behavior Disorder in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Alzheimer Research Definition of Genes and Paths Involved in Alzheimers Disease: Using Gene Expression Profiles and Chemical Genetics at the Mouse Brain Level
Current Genomics Recent Progress in Transition-Metal-Catalyzed C-N Cross-Couplings: Emerging Approaches Towards Sustainability
Current Organic Synthesis The Double Roles of the Prostaglandin E<sub>2</sub> EP2 Receptor in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Current Drug Targets Treatment Options in Alzheimer´s Disease: The GABA Story
Current Pharmaceutical Design Synthesis of Thieno[2,3-d]oxazines and Thieno[2,3-d]thiazines as Subtype Specific Kainate Receptor Antagonists
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Control of Male Sexual Responses
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mitochondrial Biogenesis: A Therapeutic Target for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Extrasynaptic GABA and Glutamate Receptors in Epilepsy
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets AMPA Receptors in the Therapeutic Management of Depression
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Tissue Distribution and Pharmacodynamics: A Complicated Relationship
Current Drug Metabolism Clinical Applications of Creatine Supplementation on Paediatrics
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Current & Future Therapies of Erectile Dysfunction in Neurological Disorders
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Involvement of Membrane Channels in Autoimmune Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Impact of Antiepileptic Drugs on Vitamin Levels in Epileptic Patients
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Editorial [Hot Topic:Ion Channels as a Target for Drug Design (Executive Editor: Kwok-Keung Tai)]
Current Pharmaceutical Design Diffusion Tensor Imaging Parameters in Children with Acute Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy due to Urea Cycle Enzyme Defects and Organic Acidemia
Current Medical Imaging