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Allosteric modulation of glycine receptors

delete2011-08-22
delete92
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OA
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G
Gonzalo E. Yévenes
H
Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer *
DOI:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01471.xdelete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Inhibitory (or strychnine sensitive) glycine receptors (GlyRs) are anion-selective transmitter-gated ion channels of the cys-loop superfamily, which includes among others also the inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABA(A) receptors). While GABA mediates fast inhibitory neurotransmission throughout the CNS, the action of glycine as a fast inhibitory neurotransmitter is more restricted. This probably explains why GABA(A) receptors constitute a group of extremely successful drug targets in the treatment of a wide variety of CNS diseases, including anxiety, sleep disorders and epilepsy, while drugs specifically targeting GlyRs are virtually lacking. However, the spatially more restricted distribution of glycinergic inhibition may be advantageous in situations when a more localized enhancement of inhibition is sought. Inhibitory GlyRs are particularly relevant for the control of excitability in the mammalian spinal cord, brain stem and a few selected brain areas, such as the cerebellum and the retina. At these sites, GlyRs regulate important physiological functions, including respiratory rhythms, motor control, muscle tone and sensory as well as pain processing. In the hippocampus, RNA-edited high affinity extrasynaptic GlyRs may contribute to the pathology of temporal lobe epilepsy. Although specific modulators have not yet been identified, GlyRs still possess sites for allosteric modulation by a number of structurally diverse molecules, including alcohols, neurosteroids, cannabinoids, tropeines, general anaesthetics, certain neurotransmitters and cations. This review summarizes the present knowledge about this modulation and the molecular bases of the interactions involved.
Keywords:
allosteric modulation
cannabinoid
glycine
endocannabinoid
ethanol
glycine receptor
neurosteroids
tropeines
zinc

Journal

British Journal of Pharmacology cover
British Journal of Pharmacology
IF:
7.7
Papers:
1.4W
Citations:
3.7W

Organization

U
university of zurich
Scholars:
4.9W
Papers: 3.9W
Citations: 65
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