Potassium channels in the basal ganglia: promising new targets for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
A large number studies indicate that potassium (K+) channels play important roles in cellular signaling in both excitable and nonexcitable cells. Moreover, a considerable number of K+ channels within the nervous system appear to mediate diverse cellular signaling, including regulation of neurotransmitter release, neuronal excitability, and cell volume. Recent studies on the K+ channel gene expression in the basal ganglia reveal dysfunctions of various K+ channels (e.g., Kv, K(ATP), Kir2 and SKCa), which may be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). This review aims to provide an overview of our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in K+ channel functions in the basal ganglia, and an insight on how to exploit K+ channels as therapeutic targets in the treatment of PD.
Department of Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
Gang
G
Wang
Jie
J
Zeng
Rujing
R
Ren
Shengdi
S
Chen
D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D015221:Potassium Channels