title: Acid-sensing ion channels contribute to neurotoxicity.
abstract: Acidosis that occurs under pathological conditions not only affects intracellular signaling molecules, but also directly activates a unique family of ligand-gated ion channels: acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). ASICs are widely expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and play roles in pain sensation, learning and memory, and fear conditioning. Overactivation of ASICs contributes to neurodegenerative diseases such as ischemic brain/spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Thus, targeting ASICs might be a potential therapeutic strategy for these conditions. This mini-review focuses on the electrophysiology and pharmacology of ASICs and roles of ASICs in neuronal toxicity.
authors: Departments of Basic Medical Science and Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2411 Holmes Street, Room M3-417, Kansas City, MO, 64108-2792, USA, chux@umkc.edu.
authors: Xiang-Ping
authors: XP
authors: Chu
authors: Kenneth A
authors: KA
authors: Grasing
authors: John Q
authors: JQ
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000138:Acidosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C568266:ASIC1 protein, human; D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels