Receptors and Ion Channels (DONE) Flashcards
Name the four types of ion channels and their characteristics
Resting potassium channel- always open
Voltage gated channel- opens transiently in response to change in the membrane potential
Ligand gated channel- opens in response to a specific extracellular neurotransmitter
Signal gated channel- opens in response to a specific intracellular molecule
What influences the function of an ion channel or receptor?
Structure- ligand binding site, antagonist binding sites, ion channel domains, recognition sites for extra- and intra-cellular modulators, sites of contact for regulatory proteins
Localisation- how much of each channel/ receptor is found where in the body
What are the general aims of sodium channels?
Physiology- exciting role in the generation of an action potential
Pathophysiology- channelopathies e.g. epilepsy, periodic paralysis etc.
Pharmaceutical relevance- local anaesthetics, antiepileptics, analgesics
What are the general aims of calcium channels?
Physiological- structure and function, neurotransmitter release etc. of calcium channels
Pathophysiology- channelopathies e.g. epilepsies, Timothy syndrome
Pharmaceutical relevance- antiepileptics, analgesics
How do electrochemical gradients dictate the movement of ions?
At equilibrium the membrane potential approaches that of the reversal/ equilibrium potential of the permeant species
What defines excitability in any cell?
The presence of sodium channels
However, in some cases its role is taken over by Ca channels
The voltage dependent sodium channel
Role- rising phase of the action potential, voltage dependent gating leads to depolarisation
Subtypes- nine functional members of the family
Expression- tissue specific expression and distribution
Characteristics of generalised epilepsy with febrile seizures
Autosomal dominant epilepsy syndrome
Normal age range six months to six years
Short generalised tonic-clonic seizures <5 minutes
Febrile seizures usually abate by puberty but can go on to have afebrile seizures
May be caused by mutations in sodium channels
Other sodium channelopathies
CNS- intractable childhood epilepsy, Dravet’s syndrome
PNS- familial primary erythermalgia
Muscle- periodic paralysis
Cardiac- long QT
Describe the structure of the native sodium dependent channel
Sodium channel from mammalian brain is a complex of three subunits: alpha, beta 1, beta 2
Stoichiometry is 1:1:1
Inactivation
Sodium channels have hinged lid mechanisms to go from open to inactivated
The intracellular loop connecting domains III and IV of the channel forms the hinged lid
Name four major drug classes that target the voltage dependent sodium channels
Local anaesthetics
Anti-epileptics
Neuropathic pain
Anti-arrhythmics
Local anaesthetics
Action is brought about by reversible sodium channel blockade (cytoplasmic side)
Lipophilicity is important for permeation and charge is important for block
Mode of entry depends on drug
Block AP in all sensory, motor and autonomic fibres
Use-dependent block- the more active the channel is, the more likely it will be blocked
Anti-epileptics
Lamotrigine, phenytoin and carbamazepine bind preferentially to open sodium channels during inactivation
Little effect on normal AP generation in neurons at normal resting potentials
Voltage and use-dependent block
The voltage and use-dependent block only come into play during periods of aberrant activity
Voltage gated calcium channels
Ubiquitously expressed
When gated they are a source of charge and calcium ions
When gated they generate an intracellular signal
Calcium can manipulate life and death of the cell
The key signal transducers of electrical excitability
Can there be excitation without sodium ions?
Invertebrate muscle does not use sodium channels for its action potential- instead uses calcium
Voltage gated calcium channels theory of excitation
The electrical activity of calcium channels is even more positive than sodium channels
They translate electrical signals into chemical signals
Regulation of intracellular events possible
How do cells regulate intracellular calcium?
Cells tightly regulate intracellular calcium
Regulation is achieved by both antiport and uniport mechanisms
As a result, intracellular calcium is kept very low
What are the three subfamilies of the calcium channel?
L- skeletal muscle, cardiomyocytes, endocrine cells and retina
T- cardiomyocytes, neuronal cell bodies, dendrites
PQRN- nerve terminals, dendrites and neuronal cell bodies