ATP sensitive potassium channels: potential drug targets in neuropsychopharmacology.
1. K channels are a diverse and ubiquitous class of proteins that regulate a number of biological functions. 2. Ligands for the study of a variety of K channels are available. These include "openers" and antagonists for the ATP sensitive K channel and peptide toxins such as apamin and charybdotoxin that block other subtypes. 3. Antagonists of the ATP sensitive K channel are useful in the treatment of type II diabetes while "openers" of this channel are being tested in asthma and cardiovascular disease. 4. Intracerebroventricular administration of K channel "openers" block experimentally induced seizures in rodents through a hyperpolarization of neurons. K channel openers may also be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, pain and cerebral ischemia. 5. A key to the development of psychopharmacological agents to modify brain K channel function is CNS selectivity. The promise of the ATP sensitive K channel openers suggests a bright future for this mechanism.
Gehlert
D R
DR
Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN.
Robertson
D W
DW
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D015221:Potassium Channels; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate