Mechanisms of distribution and targeting of neuronal ion channels.

The discovery and development of pharmaceutical drugs targeting ion channels is important for treating a variety of medical conditions and diseases. Ion channels are expressed ubiquitously throughout the body, and are involved in many basic physiological processes. Neuronal ion channels are particularly appealing drug targets, and recent advances in screening ion channel function using optical-based and electrophysiological technologies have improved drug development in this field. Moreover, methods for the discovery of peptide-based neurotoxins and other natural products have proven useful in the pharmacological assessment of ion channel structure and function, while also contributing to the identification of lead molecules for drug development.