Sodium channel toxins and neurotransmitter release.
Voltage-dependent sodium channels (VDSC) are an important class of ion channels in excitable cells, where they are responsible for the generation and conduction of action potential. In addition, the release of neurotransmitters from nerve terminals is influenced by sodium channel activity. The function of VDSC is subject to modulation by various neurotoxins, such as scorpion toxins, which have long been used as tools in the investigation of neurotransmitter release. This opens an interesting perspective concerning modulation of neurotransmission via pharmacological manipulation of sodium channel properties, which can lead to a better understanding of their physiological and pathological roles. Here we briefly review the studies of neurotoxins acting on sodium channels, focusing primarily on the view of the mechanisms of neurotransmitter release.
Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofisica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil.
André Ricardo
AR
Massensini
Marco Aurélio
MA
Romano-Silva
Marcus Vinícius
MV
Gomez
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D009498:Neurotoxins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D015222:Sodium Channels