How drugs work on ion channels?
Mechanistically these drugs bind to an intracellular portion of voltage-gated sodium channels blocking sodium influx into nerve cells, which prevents depolarization. Without depolarization, no initiation or conduction of a pain signal can occur.
What are ion channels in pharmacology?
Ion channels are pore-forming proteins that allow the flow of ions across membranes, either plasma membranes, or the membranes of intracellular organelles [4].
What is the drug ion?
Generally drugs are partially ionic (anionic or ionic), if they fully charged they become a large complex with water molecules and this complex could not cross lipid bilayer. So most of the drug molecules have two parts, one is anionic/cationic and second part is non-ionic.
Are drugs teratogens?
Certain drugs such as alcohol, some illegal drugs, and some prescription and over-the-counter medications are known to cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Drugs that can cause birth defects are called ‘teratogens’.
How are ion channels used in drug discovery?
Ion channel drug discovery is a rapidly evolving field fuelled by recent, but significant, advances in our understanding of ion channel function combined with enabling technologies such as automated electrophysiology.
Is there a PhD in ion channel pharmacology?
With a PhD in ion channel pharmacology, he has 8 years experience in ion channel drug discovery in a pharmaceutical setting. He is also a Tenured Lecturer at Imperial College School of Medicine with research emphasis on ion channel function in vasculature.
Who is the head of ion channel research?
Martin Gosling is currently Head of the Ion Channel Unit, Respiratory Diseases Area, Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research (NIBR). With a PhD in ion channel pharmacology, he has 8 years experience in ion channel drug discovery in a pharmaceutical setting.
Which is the most successful ion channel modulator?
Ion channel modulators are an extremely successful drug class, second only to drugs targeting G protein-coupled receptors, with amlodipine, zolpidem, alprazolam, the sulfonylureas, repaglinide and nateglinide amassing huge returns for their developers.