title: Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) as pharmacological targets for neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: A significant drop of tissue pH or acidosis is a common feature of acute neurological conditions such as ischemic stroke, brain trauma, and epileptic seizures. Acid-sensing ion channels, or ASICs, are proton-gated cation channels widely expressed in peripheral sensory neurons and in the neurons of the central nervous system. Recent studies have demonstrated that activation of these channels by protons plays an important role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes such as nociception, mechanosensation, synaptic plasticity, and acidosis-mediated neuronal injury. This review provides an overview of the recent advance in electrophysiological, pharmacological characterization of ASICs, and their role in neurological diseases. Therapeutic potential of current available ASIC inhibitors is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Robert S. Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research, Portland, OR 97232, USA. zxiong@Downeurobiology.org
authors.forename: Zhi-Gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pignataro
authors.forename: Minghua
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Su-youne
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Roger P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D000584:Amiloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015222:Sodium Channels; D000584:Amiloride; D002118:Calcium