Ion-channels on parasite muscle: pharmacology and physiology.
Ion-channels are essential components of excitable cells. This fact has been exploited in the development of anthelmintic agents; the majority of which act on nematode ion channels. The purpose of this review is to describe the site of action of some frequently used anthelmintic compounds: nAChRs and levamisole/pyrantel; Glu-Cls and avermectins/mylbemycins; GABA receptors and piperazine. Also described is some of the physiological and pharmacological data on other nematode muscle ion-channels which may prove attractive targets for future anthelmintic development: Ca2+ activated Cl(-) channels; peptide gated chloride Cl(-) channels; Ca2+ channels and potassium channels. Emphasis is placed on the pharmacological and physiological data from parasite tissue. Information on the genes involved in ion-channel formation and modulation are reviewed in detail elsewhere in this issue.
Robertson
Alan P
AP
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. alanr@iastate.edu
Martin
Richard J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000871:Anthelmintics; D007473:Ion Channels