α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: a therapeutic target in the structure era

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are ligand-gated ion channels involved in cognitive processes and are associated with brain disorders which makes them interesting drug targets. This article presents a general overview of the receptor to introduce the α7 nAChR as a drug target. The adva...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCurrent drug targets Vol. 13; no. 5; p. 695
Main Authors Taly, Antoine, Charon, Sebastien
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United Arab Emirates 01.05.2012
Subjects
Allosteric Regulation - physiology
alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
Animals
Brain Diseases - drug therapy
Brain Diseases - physiopathology
Cognition - physiology
Drug Delivery Systems
Drug Design
Humans
Receptors, Nicotinic - metabolism
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Summary:The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are ligand-gated ion channels involved in cognitive processes and are associated with brain disorders which makes them interesting drug targets. This article presents a general overview of the receptor to introduce the α7 nAChR as a drug target. The advances in understanding of the structure/function properties of the nAChR produced during the last decade are detailed as they are crucial for rational drug design. The allosteric properties of the nAChR will also be described because they also have important consequences for drug design.
ISSN:1873-5592