Toxins as tools: Fingerprinting neuronal pharmacology. (13th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Israel, Mathilde R.; Morgan, Michael; Tay, Bryan; Deuis, Jennifer R.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience letters. Volume 679(2018)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2018-07-13
• Subjects: Toxins -- Pharmacology -- Neuronal -- Voltage-gated ion channel -- Ligand-gated ion channel -- Receptor; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Neuroanatomie -- Périodiques; Neuropharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3940

Abstract

Highlights: Toxins that target the nervous system are structurally and functionally diverse. Many toxins display exquisite selectivity for neuronal ion channels and receptors. These toxins have proved to be useful tools to probe neuronal function. 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.