Ion channel screening technology.
Ion channels are at present the third biggest target class in drug discovery. Primary research is continually uncovering potential new ion channel targets in indications such as cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases, as well as the more established fields of pain, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. Despite the physiological significance and therapeutic relevance in a wide variety of biological systems, ion channels still remain under exploited as drug targets. This is to a large extent resulting from the historical lack of screening technologies to provide the throughput and quality of data required to support medicinal chemistry. Although technical challenges still lie ahead, this historic bottleneck in ion channel drug discovery is now being overcome by novel technologies that can be integrated into lead generation stages of ion channel drug discovery to allow the development of novel therapeutic agents. This review describes the variety of technologies available for ion channel screening and discusses the opportunities these technologies provide. The challenges that remain to be addressed are highlighted.
Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Local Discovery RA CNS & Pain Control, Astrazeneca R&D Södertälje, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden.
Michael A
MA
Dabrowski
Kim
K
Dekermendjian
Per-Eric
PE
Lund
Johannes J
JJ
Krupp
Jon
J
Sinclair
Olof
O
Larsson
D000818:Animals; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007473:Ion Channels