Cellular Physiology & Biochemistry
International Journal of Experimental Cellular Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology
Volume 55
Special Issue
Ion Channel Pharmacology
Ion channels are membrane integral proteins that allow highly controlled passage of ion through different kinds of cellular membranes. Cation channels are key players in physiological processes such as control of ion homeostasis, cell volume, vesicle trafficking, ROS production in mitochondria, secretion of neuro transmitter and paracrine or systemic hormone secretion and electrical control of excitable tissues. The channels integrate multiple cues into transient or persistent electrical signals. These cues may be of physical nature as for heat, cold, vibration, mechanical stress or can be metabolic factors like lipid metabolites (e.g. diacylglycerol, phosphoinositides, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate,…) or even the ions conducted by the cation channels e.g. Ca2+. Potassium selective channels are the most genetically and functionally diverse of all cation channels. Starting with the first cloned potassium selective ion channel from Drosophila, Shaker, several hundred potassium channel genes have been identified in the human genome. A multitude of other channels that can be highly selective for one or even poly-selective extend the universe of cation channels. The number of functionally distinct channels in native tissues is further increased by heteromultimeric co-assembly of channel α-subunits with other β-subunits, other interacting subunits and other modifications such as alternative splicing of mRNAs, glycosylation, sumoylation and phosphorylation. Therefore, deranged functions of cation channels lead to a multitude of diseases. Consistently, the importance of cation channels in the treatment of diverse diseases is also amplified by the fact that many therapeutic drugs mediate their effects by targeting the cation channel proteins. However, the current knowledge of ion channel pharmacology is limited.
In this special issue of Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry a selection of articles paints a picture of ion channel pharmacology ranging from current modelling approaches, pharmaceutical chemistry, specific molecular ion channel pharmacology to animal and human pharmacology.
Prof. Dr. Guiscard Seebohm (Editor)
Structural and Chemical Basics:
Deconstruction – Reconstruction: Analysis of the Crucial Structural Elements of GluN2B-Selective, Negative Allosteric NMDA Receptor Modulators with 3-Benzazepine Scaffold
Ritter N., Korff M., Markus A., Schepmann D., Seebohm G., Schreiber J., Wünsch B.
Cell Physiol Biochem 2021;55(S3):1-13
Computational Ion Channel Research: from the Application of Artificial Intelligence to Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Menke J., Maskri S., Koch O.
Cell Physiol Biochem 2021;55(S3):14-45
Molecular/Mechanistic Pharmacology:
KCNQ5 Potassium Channel Activation Underlies Vasodilation by Tea
Redford K., Rognant S., Jepps T., Abbott G.
Cell Physiol Biochem 2021;55(S3):46-64
Pathophysiological Role of K2P Channels in Human Diseases
Lee L., Müntefering T., Budde T., Meuth S., Ruck T.
Cell Physiol Biochem 2021;55(S3):65-86
Molecular Pharmacology of K2P Potassium Channels
Decher N., Rinné S., Bedoya M., Gonzalez W., Kiper A.
Cell Physiol Biochem 2021;55(S3):87-107
Beyond Hot and Spicy: TRPV Channels and their Pharmacological Modulation
Seebohm G., Schreiber J.
Cell Physiol Biochem 2021;55(S3):108-130
Pharmacological Intervention in Selected Disease Models
Targeting Kca3.1 Channels in Cancer
Todesca L., Maskri S., Brömmel K., Thale I., Wünsch B., Koch O., Schwab A.
Cell Physiol Biochem 2021;55(S3):131-144
Impact of Diverse Ion Channels on Regulatory T Cell Functions
Vinnenberg L., Bock S., Hundehege P., Ruck T., Meuth S.
Cell Physiol Biochem 2021;55(S3):145-156
The Amyloid Precursor Protein C99 Fragment Modulates Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels
Manville R., Abbott G.
Cell Physiol Biochem 2021;55(S3):157-170