Toxins as tools: Fingerprinting neuronal pharmacology.
Neurosci Lett
; 679: 4-14, 2018 07 13.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29425731
ABSTRACT
Toxins have been used as tools for decades to study the structure and function of neuronal ion channels and receptors. The biological origin of these toxins varies from single cell organisms, including bacteria and algae, to complex multicellular organisms, including a wide variety of plants and venomous animals. Toxins are a structurally and functionally diverse group of compounds that often modulate neuronal function by interacting with an ion channel or receptor. Many of these toxins display high affinity and exquisite selectivity, making them valuable tools to probe the structure and function of neuronal ion channels and receptors. This review article provides an overview of the experimental techniques used to assess the effects that toxins have on neuronal function, as well as discussion on toxins that have been used as tools, with a focus on toxins that target voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Células Receptoras Sensoriales
/
Neurofarmacología
/
Neuronas
/
Neurotoxinas
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Neurosci Lett
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia