Title:A Review of the Potential Receptors of Migraine with a Special Emphasis on CGRP to Develop an Ideal Antimigraine Drug
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Krishna P. Naduchamy and Varadarajan Parthasarathy*
Affiliation:Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai nagar-608002, Tamilnadu, Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai nagar-608002, Tamilnadu
Keywords:Migraine, target proteins, GPCR, CGRP release, trigeminal vascular system, anti-migraine drugs.
Abstract:
Migraine is a neurovascular syndrome associated with a unilateral, throbbing headache
accompanied by nausea, vomiting and photo/phonophobia. Several proteins are involved in the etiopathogenesis
of migraine headaches. The aim of the present review is to provide an insight into the
various target proteins involved in migraine headaches pertaining to the development of a potential
anti-migraine drug molecule. Proteins/receptors, such as serotonin (5-HT), Calcitonin Gene-Related
Peptide (CGRP), Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), cannabinoid, glutamate,
opioid, and histamine receptors play various roles in migraine. The nature of the proteins, their
types, binding partner membrane proteins and the consequences of the reactions produced have
been discussed. The studies conducted on animals and humans with the above-mentioned target
proteins/receptors and the results obtained have also been reviewed.
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), significantly contributes
to the progression of migraine. CGRP antagonist inhibits the release of CGRP from trigeminal
neurons of the trigeminal ganglion. Based on the study results, the present review suggests that
the inhibition of the CGRP receptor might be a successful way to treat migraine headaches. Currently,
researchers across the world are focusing their attention towards the development of novel
molecules to treat migraine headaches by targeting the CGRP receptor, which can be attributed to
its specificity among the several proteins involved in migraine.
