Abstract
Despite over 150 years of clinical use, the mechanism and molecular elements by which volatile anesthetics produce unconsciousness are not established. Although enhanced activity of inhibitory neurotransmitter systems (GABAA) and depression of excitatory neurotransmitter systems (NMDA) probably contribute to the anesthetic state, the role of other ion channels families have also been studied. Potassium channels represent the largest group of mammalian ion channels and their activity to reduce neuronal excitability makes them viable candidates as sites of anesthetic action. Several studies from the 1970s and 80s identified volatile anesthetic enhancement of neuronal potassium currents. More recently, a new family of K channels with a unique structure (tandem pore domains) that may be responsible for baseline or background K currents have been isolated and some members of this family can be activated by volatile anesthetics. These emerging findings suggest a new molecular mechanism by which volatile anesthetics may mediate central nervous system depression.
Keywords: September 2000, Neurotransmitter system, GABA, Potassium chanels, Inhibition, GABA Aergic, Aplysia Californica, Stagnalis
Current Drug Targets
Title: Tandem Pore Domain K Channels An Important Site of Volatile Anesthetic Action
Volume: 1 Issue: 2
Author(s): C. Spencer Yost
Affiliation:
Keywords: September 2000, Neurotransmitter system, GABA, Potassium chanels, Inhibition, GABA Aergic, Aplysia Californica, Stagnalis
Abstract: Despite over 150 years of clinical use, the mechanism and molecular elements by which volatile anesthetics produce unconsciousness are not established. Although enhanced activity of inhibitory neurotransmitter systems (GABAA) and depression of excitatory neurotransmitter systems (NMDA) probably contribute to the anesthetic state, the role of other ion channels families have also been studied. Potassium channels represent the largest group of mammalian ion channels and their activity to reduce neuronal excitability makes them viable candidates as sites of anesthetic action. Several studies from the 1970s and 80s identified volatile anesthetic enhancement of neuronal potassium currents. More recently, a new family of K channels with a unique structure (tandem pore domains) that may be responsible for baseline or background K currents have been isolated and some members of this family can be activated by volatile anesthetics. These emerging findings suggest a new molecular mechanism by which volatile anesthetics may mediate central nervous system depression.
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Cite this article as:
Yost Spencer C., Tandem Pore Domain K Channels An Important Site of Volatile Anesthetic Action, Current Drug Targets 2000; 1 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450003349335
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450003349335 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
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