Ligand-gated ion channel interacting proteins and their role in neuroprotection.
Ion channel receptors are a vital component of nervous system signaling, allowing rapid and direct conversion of a chemical neurotransmitter message to an electrical current. In recent decades, it has become apparent that ionotropic receptors are regulated by protein-protein interactions with other ion channels, G-protein coupled receptors and intracellular proteins. These other proteins can also be modulated by these interactions with ion channel receptors. This bidirectional functional cross-talk is important for critical cellular functions such as excitotoxicity in pathological and disease states like stroke, and for the basic dynamics of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Protein interactions with ion channel receptors can therefore increase the computational capacity of neuronal signaling cascades and also represent a novel target for therapeutic intervention in neuropsychiatric disease. This review will highlight some examples of ion channel receptor interactions and their potential clinical utility for neuroprotection.
Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada.
Shupeng
S
Li
Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada.
Albert H C
AH
Wong
Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada.
Fang
F
Liu
dopamine receptors; glutamate receptors; ligand-gated ion channels; protein-protein interaction; receptor complex