Literature DB >> 26650440

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16: Ligand-gated ion channels.

Stephen Ph Alexander1, John A Peters2, Eamonn Kelly3, Neil Marrion3, Helen E Benson4, Elena Faccenda4, Adam J Pawson4, Joanna L Sharman4, Christopher Southan4, Jamie A Davies4.   

Abstract

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 1750 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.13349/full. Ligand-gated ion channels are one of the eight major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being: ligand-gated ion channels, voltage-gated ion channels, other ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, catalytic receptors, enzymes and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. The Concise Guide is published in landscape format in order to facilitate comparison of related targets. It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2015, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in the previous Guides to Receptors & Channels and the Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14. It is produced in conjunction with NC-IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR-DB and GRAC and provides a permanent, citable, point-in-time record that will survive database updates.
© 2015 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Pharmacological Society.

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Year:  2015        PMID: 26650440      PMCID: PMC4718212          DOI: 10.1111/bph.13350

Source DB:  PubMed          Journal:  Br J Pharmacol        ISSN: 0007-1188            Impact factor:   8.739


Conflict of Interest

The authors state that there are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Overview

Ligand‐gated ion channels (LGICs) are integral membrane proteins that contain a pore which allows the regulated flow of selected ions across the plasma membrane. Ion flux is passive and driven by the electrochemical gradient for the permeant ions. These channels are open, or gated, by the binding of a neurotransmitter to an orthosteric site(s) that triggers a conformational change that results in the conducting state. Modulation of gating can occur by the binding of endogenous, or exogenous, modulators to allosteric sites. LGICs mediate fast synaptic transmission, on a millisecond time scale, in the nervous system and at the somatic neuromuscular junction. Such transmission involves the release of a neurotransmitter from a pre‐synaptic neurone and the subsequent activation of post‐synaptically located receptors that mediate a rapid, phasic, electrical signal (the excitatory, or inhibitory, post‐synaptic potential). However, in addition to their traditional role in phasic neurotransmission, it is now established that some LGICs mediate a tonic form of neuronal regulation that results from the activation of extra‐synaptic receptors by ambient levels of neurotransmitter. The expression of some LGICs by non‐excitable cells is suggestive of additional functions. By convention, the LGICs comprise the excitatory, cation‐selective, nicotinic acetylcholine [48, 236], 5‐HT3 [20, 353], ionotropic glutamate [208, 338] and P2X receptors [158, 321] and the inhibitory, anion‐selective, GABAA [25, 264] and glycine receptors [215, 373]. The nicotinic acetylcholine, 5‐HT3, GABAA and glycine receptors (and an additional zinc‐activated channel) are pentameric structures and are frequently referred to as the Cys‐loop receptors due to the presence of a defining loop of residues formed by a disulphide bond in the extracellular domain of their constituent subunits [238, 327]. However, the prokaryotic ancestors of these receptors contain no such loop and the term pentameric ligand‐gated ion channel (pLGIC) is gaining acceptance in the literature [133]. The ionotropic glutamate and P2X receptors are tetrameric and trimeric structures, respectively. Multiple genes encode the subunits of LGICs and the majority of these receptors are heteromultimers. Such combinational diversity results, within each class of LGIC, in a wide range of receptors with differing pharmacological and biophysical properties and varying patterns of expression within the nervous system and other tissues. The LGICs thus present attractive targets for new therapeutic agents with improved discrimination between receptor isoforms and a reduced propensity for off‐target effects. The development of novel, faster screening techniques for compounds acting on LGICs [88] will greatly aid in the development of such agents.

Family structure

5871 5‐HT 5873 Acid‐sensing (proton‐gated) ion channels (ASICs) 5875 Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) 5877 GABA 5882 Glycine receptors 5885 Ionotropic glutamate receptors 5891 IP 5892 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors 5896 P2X receptors 5898 Ryanodine receptor 5900 ZAC

5‐HT

Overview

The 5‐HT3 receptor (nomenclature as agreed by the    Subcommittee on 5‐Hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptors []) is a ligand‐gated ion channel of the Cys‐loop family that includes the zinc‐activated channels, nicotinic acetylcholine, GABAAand strychnine‐sensitive glycine receptors. The receptor exists as a pentamer of 4TM subunits that form an intrinsic cation selective channel [20]. Five human 5‐HT3 receptor subunits have been cloned and homo‐oligomeric assemblies of 5‐HT3A and hetero‐oligomeric assemblies of 5‐HT3A and 5‐HT3B subunits have been characterised in detail. The 5‐HT3C (, Q8WXA8), 5‐HT3D (, Q70Z44) and 5‐HT3E (, A5X5Y0) subunits [173, 256], like the 5‐HT3B subunit, do not form functional homomers, but are reported to assemble with the 5‐HT3A subunit to influence its functional expression rather than pharmacological profile [136, 258, 352]. 5‐HT3A, ‐C, ‐D, and ‐E subunits also interact with the chaperone RIC‐3 which predominantly enhances the surface expression of homomeric 5‐HT3A receptor [352]. The co‐expression of 5‐HT3A and 5‐HT3C‐E subunits has been demonstrated in human colon [170]. A recombinant hetero‐oligomeric 5‐HT3AB receptor has been reported to contain two copies of the 5‐HT3A subunit and three copies of the 5‐HT3B subunit in the order B‐B‐A‐B‐A [23], but this is inconsistent with recent reports which show at least one A‐A interface [207, 331]. The 5‐HT3B subunit imparts distinctive biophysical properties upon hetero‐oligomeric 5‐HT3AB versus homo‐oligomeric 5‐HT3A recombinant receptors [68, 86, 124, 160, 178, 277, 317], influences the potency of channel blockers, but generally has only a modest effect upon the apparent affinity of agonists, or the affinity of antagonists ([36], but see [67, 71, 86]) which may be explained by the orthosteric binding site residing at an interface formed between 5‐HT3A subunits [207, 331]. However, 5‐HT3A and 5‐HT3AB receptors differ in their allosteric regulation by some general anaesthetic agents, small alcohols and indoles [146, 293, 314]. The potential diversity of 5‐HT3 receptors is increased by alternative splicing of the genes HTR3A and E [39, 139, 255, 257, 258]. In addition, the use of tissue‐specific promoters driving expression from different transcriptional start sites has been reported for theHTR3A, HTR3B, HTR3D and HTR3E genes, which could result in 5‐HT3 subunits harbouring different N‐termini [160, 255, 339]. To date, inclusion of the 5‐HT3A subunit appears imperative for 5‐HT3 receptor function.

Subunits

Comments

Quantitative data in the table refer to homo‐oligomeric assemblies of the human 5‐HT3A subunit, or the receptor native to human tissues. Significant changes introduced by co‐expression of the 5‐HT3B subunit are indicated in parenthesis. Although not a selective antagonist, methadone displays multimodal and subunit‐dependent antagonism of 5‐HT3receptors [71]. Similarly, TMB‐8, diltiazem, picrotoxin, bilobalide and ginkgolide B are not selective for 5‐HT3 receptors (e.g.[326]). The anti‐malarial drugs mefloquine and quinine exert a modestly more potent block of 5‐HT3A versus 5‐HT3AB receptor‐mediated responses [328]. Known better as a partial agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine α4β2 receptors, varenicline is also an agonist of the 5‐HT3A receptor [213]. Human [24, 241], rat [151], mouse [224], guinea‐pig [196] ferret [243] and canine [162] orthologues of the 5‐HT3A receptor subunit have been cloned that exhibit intraspecies variations in receptor pharmacology. Notably, most ligands display significantly reduced affinities at the guinea‐pig 5‐HT3 receptor in comparison with other species. In addition to the agents listed in the table, native and recombinant 5‐HT3 receptors are subject to allosteric modulation by extracellular divalent cations, alcohols, several general anaesthetics and 5‐hydroxy‐ and halide‐substituted indoles (see reviews [272, 329, 330, 353]).

Further Reading

Barnes NM et al. (2009) The 5‐HT3 receptor–the relationship between structure and function. Neuropharmacology  56: 273‐84 [PMID:18761359] Hoyer D et al. (1994) International Union of Pharmacology classification of receptors for 5‐hydroxytryptamine (Serotonin). Pharmacol. Rev.  46: 157‐203 [PMID:7938165] Lummis SC. (2012) 5‐HT(3) receptors. J. Biol. Chem.  287: 40239‐45 [PMID:23038271] Machu TK. (2011) Therapeutics of 5‐HT3 receptor antagonists: current uses and future directions. Pharmacol. Ther.  130: 338‐47 [PMID:21356241] Modica MN et al. (2010) Serotonin 5‐HT3 and 5‐HT4 ligands: an update of medicinal chemistry research in the last few years. Curr. Med. Chem.  17: 334‐62 [PMID:20015043] Niesler B. (2011) 5‐HT(3) receptors: potential of individual isoforms for personalised therapy. Curr Opin Pharmacol  11: 81‐6 [PMID:21345729] Rojas C et al. (2012) Pharmacological mechanisms of 5‐HT_3 and tachykinin NK_1 receptor antagonism to prevent chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting. Eur. J. Pharmacol.  684: 1‐7 [PMID:22425650] Thompson AJ. (2013) Recent developments in 5‐HT3 receptor pharmacology. Trends Pharmacol. Sci.  34: 100‐9 [PMID:23380247]

Acid‐sensing (proton‐gated) ion channels (ASICs)

Acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs, nomenclature as agreed by  []) are members of a Na+ channel superfamily that includes the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), the FMRF‐amide activated channel (FaNaC) of invertebrates, the degenerins (DEG) of Caenorhabitis elegans, channels in Drosophila melanogaster and ‘orphan’ channels that include BLINaC 294 and INaC [297]. ASIC subunits contain two TM domains and assemble as homo‐ or hetero‐trimers [114, 159] to form proton‐gated, voltage‐insensitive, Na+ permeable, channels (reviewed in [119]). Splice variants of ASIC1 [provisionally termed ASIC1a (ASIC, ASICα, BNaC2α) [349], ASIC1b (ASICβ, BNaC2β) [54] and ASIC1b2 (ASICβ2) [340]; note that ASIC1a is also permeable to Ca2+] and ASIC2 [provisionally termed ASIC2a (MDEG1, BNaC1α, BNC1α) [109, 284, 350] and ASIC2b (MDEG2, BNaC1β) [205]] have been cloned. Unlike ASIC2a (listed in table), heterologous expression of ASIC2b alone does not support H+‐gated currents. A third member, ASIC3 (DRASIC, TNaC1) [348], has been identified. A fourth mammalian member of the family (ASIC4/SPASIC) does not support a proton‐gated channel in heterologous expression systems and is reported to down regulate the expression of ASIC1a and ASIC3 [5, 80, 120]. ASIC channels are primarily expressed in central and peripheral neurons including nociceptors where they participate in neuronal sensitivity to acidosis. They have also been detected in taste receptor cells (ASIC1‐3), photoreceptors and retinal cells (ASIC1‐3), cochlear hair cells (ASIC1b), testis (hASIC3), pituitary gland (ASIC4), lung epithelial cells (ASIC1a and ‐3), urothelial cells, adipose cells (ASIC3), vascular smooth muscle cells (ASIC1‐3), immune cells (ASIC1,‐3 and ‐4) and bone (ASIC1‐3). The activation of ASIC1a within the central nervous system contributes to neuronal injury caused by focal ischemia [364] and to axonal degeneration in autoimmune inflammation in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis [102]. However, activation of ASIC1a can terminate seizures [382]. Peripheral ASIC3‐containing channels play a role in post‐operative pain [74]. Further proposed roles for centrally and peripherally located ASICs are reviewed in [357] and [203]. The relationship of the cloned ASICs to endogenously expressed proton‐gated ion channels is becoming established [78, 79, 94, 126, 203, 204, 322, 355, 356, 357]. Heterologously expressed heteromultimers form ion channels with altered kinetics, ion selectivity, pH‐ sensitivity and sensitivity to blockers that resemble some of the native proton activated currents recorded from neurones [15, 22, 94, 205]. psalmotoxin 1 (PcTx1) inhibits ASIC1a by modifying activation and desensitization by H+, but promotes ASIC1b opening. PcTx1 has little effect upon ASIC2a, ASIC3, or ASIC1a expressed as a heteromultimer with either ASIC2a, or ASIC3 [79, 94] but does block ASIC1a expressed as a heteromultimer with ASIC2b [304]. Spermine, which apparently competes with PcTx1 for binding to ASIC1a, selectively enhances the function of the channel [85]. Blockade of ASIC1a by PcTx1 activates the endogenous enkephalin pathway and has very potent analgesic effects in rodents [228]. APETx2 most potently blocks homomeric ASIC3 channels, but also ASIC2b+ASIC3, ASIC1b+ASIC3, and ASIC1a+ASIC3 heteromeric channels with IC50 values of 117 nM, 900 nM and 2 μM, respectively. APETx2 has no effect on ASIC1a, ASIC1b, ASIC2a, or ASIC2a+ASIC3 [78, 79]. IC50 values for A‐317567 are inferred from blockade of ASIC channels native to dorsal root ganglion neurones [87]. The pEC50 values for proton activation of ASIC channels are influenced by numerous factors including extracellular di‐ and poly‐valent ions, Zn2+, protein kinase C and serine proteases (reviewed in [204]). Rapid acidification is required for activation of ASIC1 and ASIC3 due to fast inactivation/desensitization. pEC50values for H+‐activation of either transient, or sustained, currents mediated by ASIC3 vary in the literature and may reflect species and/or methodological differences [16, 348, 383]. The transient and sustained current components mediated by rASIC3 are selective for Na+[348]; for hASIC3 the transient component is Na+ selective (PNa/PK > 10) whereas the sustained current appears non‐selective (PNa/PK = 1.6) [16, 383]. The reducing agents dithiothreitol (DTT) and glutathione (GSH) increase ASIC1a currents expressed in CHO cells and ASIC‐like currents in sensory ganglia and central neurons [9, 59] whereas oxidation, through the formation of intersubunit disulphide bonds, reduces currents mediated by ASIC1a [379]. ASIC1a is also irreversibly modulated by extracellular serine proteases, such as trypsin, through proteolytic cleavage [346]. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are direct blockers of ASIC currents at therapeutic concentrations (reviewed in [344]). Extracellular Zn2+ potentiates proton activation of homomeric and heteromeric channels incorporating ASIC2a, but not homomeric ASIC1a or ASIC3 channels [21]. However, removal of contaminating Zn2+ by chealation reveals a high affinity block of homomeric ASIC1a and heteromeric ASIC1a+ASIC2 channels by Zn2+ indicating complex biphasic actions of the divalent [60]. Nitric oxide potentiates submaximal currents activated by H+ mediated by ASIC1a, ASIC1b, ASIC2a and ASIC3 [42]. Ammonium activates ASIC channels (most likely ASIC1a) in midbrain dopaminergic neurones: that may be relevant to neuronal disorders associated with hyperammonemia [278]. The positive modulation of homomeric, heteromeric and native ASIC channels by the peptide FMRFamide and related substances, such as neuropeptides FF and SF, is reviewed in detail in [204]. Inflammatory conditions and particular pro‐inflammatory mediators induce overexpression of ASIC‐encoding genes, enhance ASIC currents [223], and in the case of arachidonic acid directly activate the channel [75, 310]. The sustained current component mediated by ASIC3 is potentiated by hypertonic solutions in a manner that is synergistic with the effect of arachidonic acid [75]. Selective activation of ASIC3 by GMQ at a site separate from the proton binding site is potentiated by mild acidosis and reduced extracellular Ca2+[376]. Chen X et al. (2010) Design and screening of ASIC inhibitors based on aromatic diamidines for combating neurological disorders. Eur. J. Pharmacol.  648: 15‐23 [PMID:20854810] Deval E et al. (2010) Acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs): pharmacology and implication in pain. Pharmacol. Ther.  128: 549‐58 [PMID:20807551] Waldmann R et al. (1998) H(+)‐gated cation channels: neuronal acid sensors in the NaC/DEG family of ion channels. Curr. Opin. Neurobiol.  8: 418‐24 [PMID:9687356] Wemmie JA et al. (2006) Acid‐sensing ion channels: advances, questions and therapeutic opportunities. Trends Neurosci.  29: 578‐86 [PMID:16891000] Xiong ZG et al. (2008) Acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs) as pharmacological targets for neurodegenerative diseases. Curr Opin Pharmacol  8: 25‐32 [PMID:17945532] Xu TL et al. (2009) Calcium‐permeable acid‐sensing ion channel in nociceptive plasticity: a new target for pain control. Prog. Neurobiol.  87: 171‐80 [PMID:19388206]

Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC)

The epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) mediates sodium reabsorption in the aldosterone‐sensitive distal part of the nephron and the collecting duct of the kidney. ENaC is found on other tight epithelial tissues such as the airways, distal colon and exocrine glands. ENaC activity is tightly regulated in the kidney by aldosterone, angiotensin II (, P01019), vasopressin (, P01185), insulin (, P01308) and glucocorticoids; this fine regulation of ENaC is essential to maintain sodium balance between daily intake and urinary excretion of sodium, circulating volume and blood pressure. ENaC expression is also vital for clearance of foetal lung fluid, and to maintain air‐surface‐liquid [147, 209]. Sodium reabsorption is suppressed by the ‘potassium‐sparing’ diuretics amiloride and triamterene. ENaC is a heteromultimeric channel made of homologous αβ and γ subunits. The primary structure of αENaC subunit was identified by expression cloning [43]; β and γ ENaC were identified by functional complementation of the α subunit [44]. Each ENaC subunit contains 2 TM α helices connected by a large extracellular loop and short cytoplasmic amino‐ and carboxy‐termini. The stoichiometry of the epithelial sodium channel in the kidney and related epithelia is, by homology with the structurally related channel ASIC1a, thought to be a heterotrimer of 1α:1β:1γ subunits [114]. Data in the table refer to the αβ γ heteromer. There are several human diseases resulting from mutations in ENaC subunits. Liddle's syndrome (including features of salt‐sensitive hypertension and hypokalemia), is associated with gain of function mutations in the β and γ subunits leading to defective ENaC ubiquitylation and increased stability of active ENaC at the cell surface [290, 298, 316]. Enzymes that deubiquitylate ENaC increase its function in vivo. Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA‐1) can occur through either mutations in the gene encoding the mineralocorticoid receptor, or loss of function mutations in genes encoding ENaC subunits [34]. Regulation of ENaC by phosphoinositides may underlie insulin (, P01308)‐evoked renal Na+ retention that can complicate the clinical management of type 2 diabetes using insulin‐sensitizing thiazolidinedione drugs [121]. Bhalla V et al. (2008) Mechanisms of ENaC regulation and clinical implications. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.  19: 1845‐54 [PMID:18753254] Bubien JK. (2010) Epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), hormones, and hypertension. J. Biol. Chem.  285: 23527‐31 [PMID:20460373] Butterworth MB. (2010) Regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by membrane trafficking. Biochim. Biophys. Acta  1802: 1166‐77 [PMID:20347969] Hamm LL et al. (2010) Regulation of sodium transport by ENaC in the kidney. Curr. Opin. Nephrol. Hypertens.  19: 98‐105 [PMID:19996890] Kitamura K et al. (2010) Regulation of renal sodium handling through the interaction between serine proteases and serine protease inhibitors. Clin. Exp. Nephrol.  14: 405‐10 [PMID:20535627] Kleyman TR et al. (2009) ENaC at the cutting edge: regulation of epithelial sodium channels by proteases. J. Biol. Chem.  284: 20447‐51 [PMID:19401469] Loffing J et al. (2009) Regulated sodium transport in the renal connecting tubule (CNT) via the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). Pflugers Arch.  458: 111‐35 [PMID:19277701] Ma HP et al. (2007) Regulation of the epithelial sodium channel by phosphatidylinositides: experiments, implications, and speculations. Pflugers Arch.  455: 169‐80 [PMID:17605040] Planès C et al. (2007) Regulation of the epithelial Na+ channel by peptidases. Curr. Top. Dev. Biol.  78: 23‐46 [PMID:17338914] Pochynyuk O et al. (2008) Physiologic regulation of the epithelial sodium channel by phosphatidylinositides. Curr. Opin. Nephrol. Hypertens.  17: 533‐40 [PMID:18695396] Rossier BC et al. (2009) Activation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by serine proteases. Annu. Rev. Physiol.  71: 361‐79 [PMID:18928407] Schild L. (2010) The epithelial sodium channel and the control of sodium balance. Biochim. Biophys. Acta  1802: 1159‐65 [PMID:20600867]

GABA

The GABAA receptor is a ligand‐gated ion channel of the Cys‐loop family that includes the nicotinic acetylcholine, 5‐HT3 and strychnine‐sensitive glycine receptors. GABAA receptor‐mediated inhibition within the CNS occurs by fast synaptic transmission, sustained tonic inhibition and temporally intermediate events that have been termed ‘GABAA, slow’ [45]. GABAA receptors exist as pentamers of 4TM subunits that form an intrinsic anion selective channel. Sequences of six α, three β, three γ, one δ, three ρ, one ε, one π and one θ GABAA receptor subunits have been reported in mammals [263, 264, 305, 307]. The π‐subunit is restricted to reproductive tissue. Alternatively spliced versions of many subunits exist (e.g. α4‐ and α6‐ (both not functional) α5‐, β2‐, β3‐ and γ2), along with RNA editing of the α3 subunit [66]. The three ρ‐subunits, (ρ1‐3) function as either homo‐ or hetero‐oligomeric assemblies [53, 380]. Receptors formed from ρ‐subunits, because of their distinctive pharmacology that includes insensitivity to bicuculline, benzodiazepines and barbiturates, have sometimes been termed GABAC receptors [380], but they are classified as  GABA A  receptors by    on the basis of structural and functional criteria [, 263, 264]. Many GABAA receptor subtypes contain α‐, β‐ and γ‐subunits with the likely stoichiometry 2α.2β.1γ[190, 264]. It is thought that the majority of GABAA receptors harbour a single type of α‐ and β ‐subunit variant. The α1β2γ2 hetero‐oligomer constitutes the largest population of GABAA receptors in the CNS, followed by the α2β3γ2 and α3β3γ2 isoforms. Receptors that incorporate the α4‐ α5‐or α6‐subunit, or the β1‐, γ1‐, γ3‐, δ‐, ε‐ and θ‐subunits, are less numerous, but they may nonetheless serve important functions. For example, extrasynaptically located receptors that contain α6‐ and δ‐subunits in cerebellar granule cells, or an α4‐ and δ‐subunit in dentate gyrus granule cells and thalamic neurones, mediate a tonic current that is important for neuronal excitability in response to ambient concentrations of GABA [25, 96, 244, 301, 311]. GABA binding occurs at the β+/α‐ subunit interface and the homologous γ+/α‐ subunits interface creates the benzodiazepine site. A second site for benzodiazepine binding has recently been postulated to occur at the α+/β‐ interface ([286]; reviewed by [306]). The particular α‐and γ‐subunit isoforms exhibit marked effects on recognition and/or efficacy at the benzodiazepine site. Thus, receptors incorporating either α4‐ or α6‐subunits are not recognised by ‘classical’ benzodiazepines, such as flunitrazepam (but see [374]). The trafficking, cell surface expression, internalisation and function of GABAA receptors and their subunits are discussed in detail in several recent reviews [58, 153, 214, 343] but one point worthy of note is that receptors incorporating the γ2 subunit (except when associated with α5) cluster at the postsynaptic membrane (but may distribute dynamically between synaptic and extrasynaptic locations), whereas as those incorporating the d subunit appear to be exclusively extrasynaptic. [19, ] class the GABAA receptors according to their subunit structure, pharmacology and receptor function. Currently, eleven native GABAA receptors are classed as conclusively identified (i.e., α1β2γ2, α1β γ2, α3β γ2, α4β γ2, α4β2δ, α4β3δ, α5β γ2, α6β γ2, α6β2δ, α6β3δ and ρ) with further receptor isoforms occurring with high probability, or only tentatively [263, 264]. It is beyond the scope of this Guide to discuss the pharmacology of individual GABAA receptor isoforms in detail; such information can be gleaned in the reviews [19, 104, 165, 190, 192, 249, 263, 264, 305] and [11, 12]. Agents that discriminate between α‐subunit isoforms are noted in the table and additional agents that demonstrate selectivity between receptor isoforms, for example via β‐subunit selectivity, are indicated in the text below. The distinctive agonist and antagonist pharmacology of ρ receptors is summarised in the table and additional aspects are reviewed in [53, 166, 253, 380]. The potency and efficacy of many GABA agonists vary between GABAA receptor isoforms [104, 172, 192]. For example, gaboxadol is a partial agonist at receptors with the subunit composition α4β3γ2, but elicits currents in excess of those evoked by GABA at the α4β3δ receptor where GABA itself is a low efficacy agonist [29, 38]. The antagonists bicuculline and gabazine differ in their ability to suppress spontaneous openings of the GABAA receptor, the former being more effective [333]. The presence of the γ subunit within the heterotrimeric complex reduces the potency and efficacy of agonists [319]. The GABAA receptor contains distinct allosteric sites that bind barbiturates and endogenous (e.g., 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one) and synthetic (e.g., alphaxalone) neuroactive steroids in a diastereo‐ or enantio‐selective manner [26, 131, 142, 341]. Picrotoxinin and TBPS act at an allosteric site within the chloride channel pore to negatively regulate channel activity; negative allosteric regulation by derivatives also involves the picrotoxinin site, whereas positive allosteric regulation by such compounds is proposed to occur at a distinct locus. Many intravenous (e.g., etomidate, propofol) and inhalational (e.g., halothane, isoflurane) anaesthetics and alcohols also exert a regulatory influence upon GABAA receptor activity [33, 262]. Specific amino acid residues within GABAA receptor α‐ and β‐subunits that influence allosteric regulation by anaesthetic and non‐anaesthetic compounds have been identified [129, 142]. Photoaffinity labelling of distinct amino acid residues within purified GABAAreceptors by the etomidate derivative, [, has also been demonstrated [202] and this binding subject to positive allosteric regulation by anaesthetic steroids [201]. An array of natural products including flavonoid and terpenoid compounds exert varied actions at GABAAreceptors (reviewed in detail in [165]). In addition to the agents listed in the table, modulators of GABAA receptor activity that exhibit subunit dependent activity include: salicylidene salicylhydrazide [negative allosteric modulator selective for β1‐ versus β2‐, or β3‐subunit‐containing receptors [334]]; fragrent dioxane derivatives [positive allosteric modulators selective for β1‐ versus β2‐, or β3‐subunit‐containing receptors [302]]; loreclezole, etomidate, tracazolate, mefenamic acid, etifoxine, stiripentol, valerenic acid amide [positive allosteric modulators with selectivity for β2/β3‐ over β1‐subunit‐containing receptors [99, 182, 190]]; tracazolate[intrinsic efficacy, i.e., potentiation, or inhibition, is dependent upon the identity of the γ1‐3‐, δ‐, or ε‐subunit co‐assembed with α1‐ and β1‐subunits [332]]; amiloride [selective blockade of receptors containing an α6‐subunit [98]]; furosemide [selective blockade of receptors containing an α6‐subunit co‐assembled with β2/β3‐, but not β1‐subunit [190]]; La[potentiates responses mediated by α1β3γ2L receptors, weakly inhibits α6β3γ2L receptors, and strongly blocks α6β3δ and α4β3δ receptors [38, 295]]; ethanol [selectively potentiates responses mediated by α4β3δ and α6β3δ receptors versus receptors in which β2 replaces β3, or γ replaces δ[351], but see also [189]]; DS1 and DS2 [selectively potentiate responses mediated by δ‐subunit‐containing receptors [347]]. It should be noted that the apparent selectivity of some positive allosteric modulators (e.g., neurosteroids such as 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one for δ‐subunit‐containing receptors (e.g., α1β3δ) may be a consequence of the unusually low efficacy of GABA at this receptor isoform [25, 29].

Glycine receptors

The inhibitory glycine receptor (nomenclature as agreed by the    Subcommittee on Glycine Receptors) is a member of the Cys‐loop superfamily of transmitter‐gated ion channels that includes the zinc activated channels, GABAA, nicotinic acetylcholine and 5‐HT3 receptors [215]. The receptor is expressed either as a homo‐pentamer of α subunits, or a complex now thought to harbour 2α and 3β subunits [28, 118], that contain an intrinsic anion channel. Four differentially expressed isoforms of the α‐subunit (α1‐α4) and one variant of the β‐subunit (β1, , P48167) have been identified by genomic and cDNA cloning. Further diversity originates from alternative splicing of the primary gene transcripts for α1 (α1INS and α1del), α2 (α2A and α2B), α3 (α3S and α3L) and β(βΔ7) subunits and by mRNA editing of the α2 and α3 subunit [91, 230, 261]. Both α2 splicing and α3 mRNA editing can produce subunits (i.e., α2B and α3P185L) with enhanced agonist sensitivity. Predominantly, the mature form of the receptor contains α1 (or α3) and β subunits while the immature form is mostly composed of only α2 subunits. RNA transcripts encoding the α4‐subunit have not been detected in adult humans. The N‐terminal domain of the α‐subunit contains both the agonist and strychnine binding sites that consist of several discontinuous regions of amino acids. Inclusion of the β‐subunit in the pentameric glycine receptor contributes to agonist binding, reduces single channel conductance and alters pharmacology. The β‐subunit also anchors the receptor, via an amphipathic sequence within the large intracellular loop region, to gephyrin. The latter is a cytoskeletal attachment protein that binds to a number of subsynaptic proteins involved in cytoskeletal structure and thus clusters and anchors hetero‐oligomeric receptors to the synapse [185, 188, 247]. G‐protein β γ subunits enhance the open state probability of native and recombinant glycine receptors by association with domains within the large intracellular loop [371, 372]. Intracellular chloride concentration modulates the kinetics of native and recombinant glycine receptors [280]. Intracellular Ca2+ appears to increase native and recombinant glycine receptor affinity, prolonging channel open events, by a mechanism that does not involve phosphorylation [105]. Data in the table refer to homo‐oligomeric assemblies of the α‐subunit, significant changes introduced by co‐expression of the β1 subunit are indicated in parenthesis. Not all glycine receptor ligands are listed within the table, but some that may be useful in distinguishing between glycine receptor isoforms are indicated (see detailed view pages for each subunit: α1, α2, α3, α4, ). Pregnenolone sulphate, tropisetron and colchicine, for example, although not selective antagonists of glycine receptors, are included for this purpose. Strychnine is a potent and selective competitive glycine receptor antagonist with affinities in the range 5‐15 nM. RU5135 demonstrates comparable potency, but additionally blocks GABAA receptors. There are conflicting reports concerning the ability of cannabinoids to inhibit [210], or potentiate and at high concentrations activate [4, 73, 128, 363, 368] glycine receptors. Nonetheless, cannabinoid analogues may hold promise in distinguishing between glycine receptor subtypes [368]. In addition, potentiation of glycine receptor activity by cannabinoids has been claimed to contribute to cannabis‐induced analgesia relying on Ser296/307 (α1/α3) in M3 [363]. Several analogues of muscimol and piperidine act as agonists and antagonists of both glycine and GABAAreceptors. Picrotoxin acts as an allosteric inhibitor that appears to bind within the pore, and shows strong selectivity towards homomeric receptors. While its components, picrotoxinin and picrotin, have equal potencies at α1 receptors, their potencies at α2 and α3 receptors differ modestly and may allow some distinction between different receptor types [369]. Binding of picrotoxin within the pore has been demonstrated in the crystal structure of the related C. elegans GluCl Cys‐loop receptor [132]. In addition to the compounds listed in the table, numerous agents act as allosteric regulators of glycine receptors (comprehensively reviewed in [197, 216, 354, 373]). Zn2+ acts through distinct binding sites of high‐ and low‐affinity to allosterically enhance channel function at low (<10 μM) concentrations and inhibits responses at higher concentrations in a subunit selective manner [237]. The effect of Zn2+ is somewhat mimicked by Ni2+. Endogenous Zn2+ is essential for normal glycinergic neurotransmission mediated by α1 subunit‐containing receptors [135]. Elevation of intracellular Ca2+ produces fast potentiation of glycine receptor‐mediated responses. Dideoxyforskolin (4 μM) and tamoxifen (0.2‐5 μM) both potentiate responses to low glycine concentrations (15 μM), but act as inhibitors at higher glycine concentrations (100 μM). Additional modulatory agents that enhance glycine receptor function include inhalational, and several intravenous general anaesthetics (e.g. minaxolone, propofol and pentobarbitone) and certain neurosteroids. Ethanol and higher order n‐alcohols also enhance glycine receptor function although whether this occurs by a direct allosteric action at the receptor [225], or through β γ subunits [370] is debated. Recent crystal structures of the bacterial homologue, GLIC, have identified transmembrane binding pockets for both anaesthetics [259] and alcohols [144]. Solvents inhaled as drugs of abuse (e.g. toluene, 1‐1‐1‐trichloroethane) may act at sites that overlap with those recognising alcohols and volatile anaesthetics to produce potentiation of glycine receptor function. The function of glycine receptors formed as homomeric complexes of α1 or α2 subunits, or hetero‐oligomers of α1/β or α2/β subunits, is differentially affected by the 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist tropisetron (ICS 205‐930) which may evoke potentiation (which may occur within the femtomolar range at the homomeric glycine α1 receptor), or inhibition, depending upon the subunit composition of the receptor and the concentrations of the modulator and glycine employed. Potentiation and inhibition by tropeines involves different binding modes [220]. Additional tropeines, including atropine, modulate glycine receptor activity. Callister RJ et al. (2010) Early history of glycine receptor biology in Mammalian spinal cord circuits. Front Mol Neurosci  3: 13 [PMID:20577630] Nys M et al. (2013) Structural insights into Cys‐loop receptor function and ligand recognition. Biochem. Pharmacol. [PMID:23850718] Schaefer N et al. (2013) Glycine receptor mouse mutants ‐ model systems for human hyperekplexia. Br. J. Pharmacol. [PMID:23941355] Sivilotti LG. (2010) What single‐channel analysis tells us of the activation mechanism of ligand‐gated channels: the case of the glycine receptor. J. Physiol. (Lond.)  588: 45‐58 [PMID:19770192] Tsetlin V et al. (2011) Assembly of nicotinic and other Cys‐loop receptors. J. Neurochem.  116: 734‐41 [PMID:21214570] Xu TL et al. (2010) Glycine and glycine receptor signaling in hippocampal neurons: diversity, function and regulation. Prog. Neurobiol.  91: 349‐61 [PMID:20438799] Yevenes GE et al. (2011) Allosteric modulation of glycine receptors. Br. J. Pharmacol.  164: 224‐36 [PMID:21557733]

Ionotropic glutamate receptors

The ionotropic glutamate receptors comprise members of the NMDA (N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate), AMPA (α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazoleproprionic acid) and kainate receptor classes, named originally according to their preferred, synthetic, agonist [76, 208, 338]. Receptor heterogeneity within each class arises from the homo‐oligomeric, or hetero‐oligomeric, assembly of distinct subunits into cation‐selective tetramers. Each subunit of the tetrameric complex comprises an extracellular amino terminal domain (ATD), an extracellular ligand binding domain (LBD), three transmembrane domains composed of three membrane spans (M1, M3 and M4), a channel lining re‐entrant ‘p‐loop’ (M2) located between M1 and M3 and an intracellular carboxy‐ terminal domain (CTD) [168, 193, 226, 250, 338]. The X‐ray structure of a homomeric ionotropic glutamate receptor (GluA2 ‐ see below) has recently been solved at 3.6Å resolution [313] and although providing the most complete structural information current available may not representative of the subunit arrangement of, for example, the heteromeric NMDA receptors [171]. It is beyond the scope of this supplement to discuss the pharmacology of individual ionotropic glutamate receptor isoforms in detail; such information can be gleaned from [55, 65, 76, 93 155, 156, 179, 265, 266, 267, 338, 362]. Agents that discriminate between subunit isoforms are, where appropriate, noted in the tables and additional compounds that distinguish between receptor isoforms are indicated in the text below. The classification of glutamate receptor subunits has recently been re‐addressed by  []. The scheme developed recommends a revised nomenclature for ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits that is adopted here.

NMDA receptors

NMDA receptors assemble as obligate heteromers that may be drawn from GluN1, GluN2A, GluN2B, GluN2C, GluN2D, GluN3A and GluN3B subunits. Alternative splicing can generate eight isoforms of GluN1 with differing pharmacological properties. Various splice variants of GluN2B, 2C, 2D and GluN3A have also been reported. Activation of NMDA receptors containing GluN1 and GluN2 subunits requires the binding of two agonists, glutamate to the S1 and S2 regions of the GluN2 subunit and glycine to S1 and S2 regions of the GluN1 subunit [56, 92]. The minimal requirement for efficient functional expression of NMDA receptors in vitro is a di‐heteromeric assembly of GluN1 and at least one GluN2 subunit variant, as a dimer of heterodimers arrangement in the extracellular domain [106, 171, 226]. However, more complex tri‐heteromeric assemblies, incorporating multiple subtypes of GluN2 subunit, or GluN3 subunits, can be generatedin vitro and occurin vivo. The NMDA receptor channel commonly has a high relative permeability to Ca2+ and is blocked, in a voltage‐dependent manner, by Mg2+ such that at resting potentials the response is substantially inhibited.

AMPA and Kainate receptors

AMPA receptors assemble as homomers, or heteromers, that may be drawn from GluA1, GluA2, GluA3 and GluA4 subunits. Transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs) of class I (i.e. γ2, γ3, γ4 and γ8) act, with variable stoichiometry, as auxiliary subunits to AMPA receptors and influence their trafficking, single channel conductance gating and pharmacology (reviewed in [95, 152, 239, 336]). Functional kainate receptors can be expressed as homomers of GluK1, GluK2 or GluK3 subunits. GluK1‐3 subunits are also capable of assembling into heterotetramers (e.g. GluK1/K2; [199, 276, 279]). Two additional kainate receptor subunits, GluK4 and GluK5, when expressed individually, form high affinity binding sites for kainate, but lack function, but can form heteromers when expressed with GluK1‐3 subunits (e.g. GluK2/K5; reviewed in [156, 276, 279]). Kainate receptors may also exhibit ‘metabotropic’ functions [199, 288]. As found for AMPA receptors, kainate receptors are modulated by auxiliary subunits (Neto proteins, [200, 276]). An important function difference between AMPA and kainate receptors is that the latter require extracellular Na+ and Cl‐ for their activation [35, 282]. RNA encoding the GluA2 subunit undergoes extensive RNA editing in which the codon encoding a p‐loop glutamine residue (Q) is converted to one encoding arginine (R). This Q/R site strongly influences the biophysical properties of the receptor. Recombinant AMPA receptors lacking RNA edited GluA2 subunits are: (1) permeable to Ca2+; (2) blocked by intracellular polyamines at depolarized potentials causing inward rectification (the latter being reduced by TARPs); (3) blocked by extracellular argiotoxin and Joro spider toxins and (4) demonstrate higher channel conductances than receptors containing the edited form of GluA2 [150, 300]. GluK1 and GluK2, but not other kainate receptor subunits, are similarly edited and broadly similar functional characteristics apply to kainate receptors lacking either an RNA edited GluK1, or GluK2, subunit [199, 276]. Native AMPA and kainate receptors displaying differential channel conductances, Ca2+ permeabilites and sensitivity to block by intracellular polyamines have been identified [64, 150, 206]. GluA1‐4 can exist as two variants generated by alternative splicing (termed ‘flip’ and ‘flop’) that differ in their desensitization kinetics and their desensitization in the presence of cyclothiazide which stabilises the nondesensitized state. TARPs also stabilise the non‐desensitized conformation of AMPA receptors and facilitate the action of cyclothiazide [239]. Splice variants of GluK1‐3 also exist which affects their trafficking [199, 276].

Comments NMDA receptors

Potency orders unreferenced in the table are from [55, 84, 93, 194, 267, 338]. In addition to the glutamate and glycine binding sites documented in the table, physiologically important inhibitory modulatory sites exist for Mg2+, Zn2+, and protons [65, 76, 338]. Voltage‐independent inhibition by Zn2+ binding with high affinity within the ATD is highly subunit selective (GluN2AGluN2B > GluN2CGluN2D; [267, 338]). The receptor is also allosterically modulated, in both positive and negative directions, by endogenous neuroactive steroids in a subunit dependent manner [141, 221]. Tonic proton blockade of NMDA receptor function is alleviated by polyamines and the inclusion of exon 5 within GluN1 subunit splice variants, whereas the non‐competitive antagonists ifenprodil and traxoprodil increase the fraction of receptors blocked by protons at ambient concentration. Inclusion of exon 5 also abolishes potentiation by polyamines and inhibition by Zn2+ that occurs through binding in the ATD [337]. Ifenprodil, traxoprodil, haloperidol, felbamate and Ro 8‐4304 discriminate between recombinant NMDA receptors assembled from GluN1 and either GluN2A, or GluN2B, subunits by acting as selective, non‐competitive, antagonists of heterooligomers incorporating GluN2B through a binding site at the ATD GluN1/GluN2B subunit interface [171]. LY233536 is a competitive antagonist that also displays selectivity for GluN2B over GluN2A subunit‐containing receptors. Similarly, CGP61594 is a photoaffinity label that interacts selectively with receptors incorporating GluN2B versus GluN2A, GluN2D and, to a lesser extent, GluN2C subunits. TCN 201 and TCN 213 have recently been shown to block GluN2A NMDA receptors selectively by a mechanism that involves allosteric inhibition of glycine binding to the GluN1 site [27, 89, 125, 229]. In addition to influencing the pharmacological profile of the NMDA receptor, the identity of the GluN2 subunit co‐assembled with GluN1 is an important determinant of biophysical properties that include sensitivity to block by Mg2+, single‐channel conductance and maximal open probablity and channel deactivation time [65, 92, 112]. Incorporation of the GluN3A subunit into tri‐heteromers containing GluN1 and GluN2 subunits is associated with decreased single‐channel conductance, reduced permeability to Ca2+ and decreased susceptibility to block by Mg2+[46, 130]. Reduced permeability to Ca2+ has also been observed following the inclusion of GluN3B in tri‐heteromers. The expression of GluN3A, or GluN3B, with GluN1 alone forms, in Xenopus laevis oocytes, a cation channel with unique properties that include activation by glycine (but not NMDA), lack of permeation by Ca2+ and resistance to blockade by Mg2+ and NMDA receptor antagonists [50]. The function of heteromers composed of GluN1 and GluN3A is enhanced by Zn2+, or glycine site antagonists, binding to the GluN1 subunit [218]. Zn2+ also directly activates such complexes. The co‐expression of GluN1, GluN3A and GluN3B appears to be required to form glycine‐activated receptors in mammalian cell hosts [312]. All AMPA receptors are additionally activated by kainate (and domoic acid) with relatively low potency, (EC50  100 μM). Inclusion of TARPs within the receptor complex increases the potency and maximal effect of kainate [152, 239]. AMPA is weak partial agonist at GluK1 and at heteromeric assemblies of GluK1/GluK2, GluK1/GluK5 and GluK2/GluK5 [156]. Quinoxalinediones such as CNQX and NBQX show limited selectivity between AMPA and kainate receptors. Tezampanel also has kainate (GluK1) receptor activity as has GYKI53655 (GluK3 and GluK2/GluK3) [156]. ATPO is a potent competitive antagonist of AMPA receptors, has a weaker antagonist action at kainate receptors comprising GluK1 subunits, but is devoid of activity at kainate receptors formed from GluK2 or GluK2/GluK5 subunits. The pharmacological activity of ATPO resides with the (S)‐enantiomer. ACET and UBP310 may block GluK3, in addition to GluK1 [13, 275]. (2S,4R)‐4‐methylglutamate (SYM2081) is equipotent in activating (and desensitising) GluK1 and GluK2 receptor isoforms and, via the induction of desensitisation at low concentrations, has been used as a functional antagonist of kainate receptors. Both (2S,4R)‐4‐methylglutamate and LY339434 have agonist activity at NMDA receptors. (2S,4R)‐4‐methylglutamate is also an inhibitor of the glutamate transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2.

Delta subunits

GluD1 and GluD2 comprise, on the basis of sequence homology, an ‘orphan’ class of ionotropic glutamate receptor subunit. They do not form a functional receptor when expressed solely, or in combination with other ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits, in transfected cells [377]. However, GluD2 subunits bind D‐serine and glycine and GluD2 subunits carrying the mutation A654T form a spontaneously open channel that is closed by D‐serine [251].

IP

The inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors (IP3R) are ligand‐gated Ca2+‐release channels on intracellular Ca2+ store sites (such as the endoplasmic reticulum). They are responsible for the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores and play an important role in intracellular Ca2+ signalling in a wide variety of cell types. Three different gene products (types I‐III) have been isolated, which assemble as large tetrameric structures. IP3Rs are closely associated with certain proteins: calmodulin (    , P62158) and FKBP (and calcineurin via FKBP). They are phosphorylated by PKA, PKC, PKG and CaMKII. The absence of a modulator of a particular isoform of receptor indicates that the action of that modulator has not been determined, not that it is without effect. Barker CJ et al. (2013) New horizons in cellular regulation by inositol polyphosphates: insights from the pancreatic β‐cell. Pharmacol. Rev.  65: 641‐69 [PMID:23429059] Decrock E et al. (2013) IP3, a small molecule with a powerful message. Biochim. Biophys. Acta  1833: 1772‐86 [PMID:23291251] Foskett JK. (2010) Inositol trisphosphate receptor Ca2+ release channels in neurological diseases. Pflugers Arch.  460: 481‐94 [PMID:20383523] Kiviluoto S et al. (2013) Regulation of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors during endoplasmic reticulum stress. Biochim. Biophys. Acta  1833: 1612‐24 [PMID:23380704] Rossi AM et al. (2012) Analysis of IP3 receptors in and out of cells. Biochim. Biophys. Acta  1820: 1214‐27 [PMID:22033379]

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are members of the Cys‐loop family of transmitter‐gated ion channels that includes the GABAA, strychnine‐sensitive glycine and 5‐HT3 receptors [7, 236, 308, 324, 361]. All nicotinic receptors are pentamers in which each of the five subunits contains four α‐helical transmembrane domains. Genes encoding a total of 17 subunits (α1‐10, β1‐4, γ, δ and ε) have been identified [169]. All subunits with the exception of α8 (present in avian species) have been identified in mammals. All α subunits possess two tandem cysteine residues near to the site involved in acetylcholine binding, and subunits not named α lack these residues [236]. The orthosteric ligand binding site is formed by residues within at least three peptide domains on the α subunit (principal component), and three on the adjacent subunit (complementary component). nAChRs contain several allosteric modulatory sites. One such site, for positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) and allosteric agonists, has been proposed to reside within an intrasubunit cavity between the four transmembrane domains [113, 375]; see also [132]). The high resolution crystal structure of the molluscan acetylcholine binding protein, a structural homologue of the extracellular binding domain of a nicotinic receptor pentamer, in complex with several nicotinic receptor ligands (e.g.[47]) and the crystal structure of the extracellular domain of the α1 subunit bound to α‐bungarotoxin at 1.94 Å resolution [72], has revealed the orthosteric binding site in detail (reviewed in [49, 169, 291, 308]). Nicotinic receptors at the somatic neuromuscular junction of adult animals have the stoichiometry (α1)2 β1δ ε, whereas an extrajunctional (α1)2 β1γ δ receptor predominates in embryonic and denervated skeletal muscle and other pathological states. Other nicotinic receptors are assembled as combinations of α(2‐6) and β(2‐4) subunits. For α2, α3, α4 and β2 and β4 subunits, pairwise combinations of α and β (e.g.α3β4 and α4β2) are sufficient to form a functional receptor in vitro, but far more complex isoforms may exist in vivo (reviewed in [116, 117, 236]). There is strong evidence that the pairwise assembly of some α and β subunits can occur with variable stoichiometry [e.g.(α4)2(β2)2 or (α4)3(β2)2] which influences the biophysical and pharmacological properties of the receptor [236]. α5 and β3 subunits lack function when expressed alone, or pairwise, but participate in the formation of functional hetero‐oligomeric receptors when expressed as a third subunit with another α and β pair [e.g. α4α5αβ2, α4αβ2β3, α5α6β2, see [236] for further examples]. The α6 subunit can form a functional receptor when co‐expressed with β4 in vitro, but more efficient expression ensues from incorporation of a third partner, such as β3 [366]. The α7, α8, and α9 subunits form functional homo‐oligomers, but can also combine with a second subunit to constitute a hetero‐oligomeric assembly (e.g.α7β2 and α9α10). For functional expression of the α10 subunit, co‐assembly with α9 is necessary. The latter, along with the α10 subunit, appears to be largely confined to cochlear and vestibular hair cells. Comprehensive listings of nicotinic receptor subunit combinations identified from recombinant expression systems, or in vivo, are given in [236]. In addition, numerous proteins interact with nicotinic ACh receptors modifying their assembly, trafficking to and from the cell surface, and activation by ACh (reviewed by [10, 167, 235]). The nicotinic receptor Subcommittee of has recommended a nomenclature and classification scheme for nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors based on the subunit composition of known, naturally‐ and/or heterologously‐expressed nACh receptor subtypes [212]. Headings for this table reflect abbreviations designating nACh receptor subtypes based on the predominant α subunit contained in that receptor subtype. An asterisk following the indicated α subunit denotes that other subunits are known to, or may, assemble with the indicated α subunit to form the designated nACh receptor subtype(s). Where subunit stoichiometries within a specific nACh receptor subtype are known, numbers of a particular subunit larger than 1 are indicated by a subscript following the subunit (enclosed in parentheses ‐ see also [62]). Commonly used agonists of nACh receptors that display limited discrimination in functional assays between receptor subtypes include A‐85380, cytisine, DMPP, epibatidine, nicotine and the natural transmitter, acetylcholine (ACh). A summary of their profile across differing receptors is provided in [117] and quantitative data across numerous assay systems are summarized in [161]. Quantitative data presented in the table for commonly used antagonists and channel blockers for human receptors studied under voltage‐clamp are from [41, 52, 268, 269, 273, 360]. Type I PAMs increase peak agonist‐evoked responses but have little, or no, effect on the rate of desensitization of α7 nicotinic ACh receptors whereas type II PAMs also cause a large reduction in desensitization (reviewed in [358]).

P2X receptors

P2X receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the    Subcommittee on P2X Receptors [, ]) have a trimeric topology [163, 175, 254] with two putative TM domains, gating primarily Na+, K+ and Ca2+, exceptionally Cl−. The Nomenclature Subcommittee has recommended that for P2X receptors, structural criteria should be the initial criteria for nomenclature where possible. Functional P2X receptors exist as polymeric transmitter‐gated channels; the native receptors may occur as either homopolymers (e.g. P2X1 in smooth muscle) or heteropolymers (e.g. P2X2:P2X3 in the nodose ganglion and P2X1:P2X5 in mouse cortical astrocytes, [195]). P2X2, P2X4 and P2X7 receptors have been shown to form functional homopolymers which, in turn, activate pores permeable to low molecular weight solutes [321]. The hemi‐channel pannexin‐1 has been implicated in the pore formation induced by P2X7 [274], but not P2X2 [51], receptor activation. A317491 and RO3 also block the P2X2:P2X3 heteromultimer [100, 157]. NF449, A317491 and RO3 are more than 10‐fold selective for P2X1 and P2X3 receptors, respectively. Agonists listed show selectivity within recombinant P2X receptors of ca. one order of magnitude. A804598, A839977, A740003 and A438079 are at least 10‐fold selective for P2X7 receptors and show similar affinity across human and rodent receptors [81, 83, 137]. Several P2X receptors (particularly P2X1 and P2X3) may be inhibited by desensitisation using stable agonists (e.g. α); suramin and PPADS are non‐selective antagonists at rat and human P2X1‐3,5 and hP2X4, but not rP2X4,6,7 [40], and can also inhibit ATPase activity [63]. Ip is inactive at rP2X2, an antagonist at rP2X3 (pIC50 5.6) and enhances agonist responses at rP2X4 [183]. Antagonist potency of NF023 at recombinant P2X2, P2X3 and P2X5 is two orders of magnitude lower than that at P2X1 receptors [315]. The P2X7 receptor may be inhibited in a non‐competitive manner by the protein kinase inhibitors KN62 and chelerythrine [303], while the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor GTP and the cyclic imide AZ11645373 show a species‐dependent non‐competitive action [82, 232, 233, 318]. The pH‐sensitive dye used in culture media, phenol red, is also reported to inhibit P2X1 and P2X3 containing channels [184]. Some recombinant P2X receptors expressed to high density bind [ and [, although the latter can also bind to 5'‐nucleotidase [231]. [ and [ have been used as high affinity antagonist radioligands for P2X3 (and P2X2/3) and P2X7 receptors, respectively [83]. Browne LE et al. (2011) P2X receptor channels show threefold symmetry in ionic charge selectivity and unitary conductance. Nat. Neurosci.  14: 17‐8 [PMID:21170052] Coddou C et al. (2011) Activation and regulation of purinergic P2X receptor channels. Pharmacol. Rev.  63: 641‐83 [PMID:21737531] Collingridge GL et al. (2009) A nomenclature for ligand‐gated ion channels. Neuropharmacology  56: 2‐5 [PMID:18655795] Kaczmarek‐Hájek K et al. (2012) Molecular and functional properties of P2X receptors–recent progress and persisting challenges. Purinergic Signal.  8: 375‐417 [PMID:22547202] Khakh BS et al. (2001) International union of pharmacology. XXIV. Current status of the nomenclature and properties of P2X receptors and their subunits. Pharmacol. Rev.  53: 107‐18 [PMID:11171941] Khakh BS et al. (2012) Neuromodulation by extracellular ATP and P2X receptors in the CNS. Neuron  76: 51‐69 [PMID:23040806] North RA et al. (2013) P2X receptors as drug targets. Mol. Pharmacol.  83: 759‐69 [PMID:23253448]

Ryanodine receptor

The ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are found on intracellular Ca2+ storage/release organelles. The family of RyR genes encodes three highly related Ca2+ release channels: RyR1, RyR2 and RyR3, which assemble as large tetrameric structures. These RyR channels are ubiquitously expressed in many types of cells and participate in a variety of important Ca2+ signaling phenomena (neurotransmission, secretion, etc.). In addition to the three mammalian isoforms described below, various nonmammalian isoforms of the ryanodine receptor have been identified [323]. The function of the ryanodine receptor channels may also be influenced by closely associated proteins such as the tacrolimus (FK506)‐binding protein, calmodulin [365], triadin, calsequestrin, junctin and sorcin, and by protein kinases and phosphatases. The modulators of channel function included in this table are those most commonly used to identify ryanodine‐sensitive Ca2+ release pathways. Numerous other modulators of ryanodine receptor/channel function can be found in the reviews listed below. The absence of a modulator of a particular isoform of receptor indicates that the action of that modulator has not been determined, not that it is without effect. The potential role of cyclic ADP ribose as an endogenous regulator of ryanodine receptor channels is controversial. A region of RyR likely to be involved in ion translocation and selection has been identified [107, 381]. Betzenhauser MJ et al. (2010) Ryanodine receptor channelopathies. Pflugers Arch.  460: 467‐80 [PMID:20179962] Gaburjakova M et al. (2013) Functional interaction between calsequestrin and ryanodine receptor in the heart. Cell. Mol. Life Sci.  70: 2935‐45 [PMID:23109100] Kushnir A et al. (2010) Ryanodine receptor studies using genetically engineered mice. FEBS Lett.  584: 1956‐65 [PMID:20214899] MacMillan D. (2013) FK506 binding proteins: cellular regulators of intracellular Ca2+ signalling. Eur. J. Pharmacol.  700: 181‐93 [PMID:23305836] McCauley MD et al. (2011) Ryanodine receptor phosphorylation, calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II, and life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Trends Cardiovasc. Med.  21: 48‐51 [PMID:22578240] Niggli E et al. (2013) Posttranslational modifications of cardiac ryanodine receptors: Ca(2+) signaling and EC‐coupling. Biochim. Biophys. Acta  1833: 866‐75 [PMID:22960642] Van Petegem F. (2012) Ryanodine receptors: structure and function. J. Biol. Chem.  287: 31624‐32 [PMID:22822064]

ZAC

The zinc‐activated channel (ZAC, nomenclature as agreed by the    Subcommittee for the Zinc Activated Channel) is a member of the Cys‐loop family that includes the nicotinic acetylcholine, 5‐HT3, GABAA and strychnine‐sensitive glycine receptors [69, 143]. The channel is likely to exist as a homopentamer of 4TM subunits that form an intrinsic cation selective channel displaying constitutive activity that can be blocked by tubocurarine. ZAC is present in the human, chimpanzee, dog, cow and opossum genomes, but is functionally absent from mouse, or rat, genomes [69, 143].
Nomenclature 5‐HT3AB 5‐HT3A
Subunits 5‐HT3A, 5‐HT3B 5‐HT3A
Functional Characteristics γ = 0.4‐0.8 pS [+ 5‐HT3B, γ = 16 pS]; inwardly rectifying current [+ 5‐HT3B, rectification reduced]; nH 2‐3 [+ 5‐HT3B 1‐2]; relative permeability to divalent cations reduced by co‐expression of the 5‐HT3B subunit γ = 0.4‐0.8 pS [+ 5‐HT3B, γ = 16 pS]; inwardly rectifying current [+ 5‐HT3B, rectification reduced]; nH 2‐3 [+ 5‐HT3B 1‐2]; relative permeability to divalent cations reduced by co‐expression of the 5‐HT3B subunit
Selective agonists meta‐chlorphenylbiguanide (pEC50 5.4–5.8) [24, 68, 196, 241, 242], 2‐methyl‐5‐HT (pEC50 5.5–5.6) [24, 68, 196, 241], SR57227A (pEC50 5.4) [90] – Rat, 1‐phenylbiguanide (pEC50 4.1) [24]
Antagonists vortioxetine (pK i 8.4) [17], metoclopramide (pK i 6–6.4) [36, 140]
Selective antagonists palonosetron (pK i 10.5) [248], alosetron (pK i 9.5) [134], (S)‐zacopride (pK i 9) [36], granisetron (pK i∼8.6–8.8) [140, 241], tropisetron (pK i 8.5–8.8) [196, 241], ondansetron (pK i∼7.8–8.3) [36, 140, 241]
Channel blockers picrotoxinin (pIC50 4.2) [326], bilobalide (pIC50 2.5) [326], ginkgolide B (pIC50 2.4) [326] picrotoxinin (pIC50 5) [325], TMB‐8 (pIC50 4.9) [320], diltiazem (pIC50 4.7) [325], bilobalide (pIC50 3.3) [325], ginkgolide B (pIC50 3.1) [325]
Labelled ligands [3H]ramosetron (Antagonist) (pK d 9.8) [241], [3H]GR65630 (Antagonist) (pK d 8.6–9.3) [134, 196], [3H]granisetron (Antagonist) (pK d 8.9) [36, 140], [3H](S)‐zacopride (Antagonist) (pK d 8.7) [271], [3H]LY278584 (Antagonist) (pK d 8.5) [2]
Nomenclature 5‐HT3A 5‐HT3B 5‐HT3C 5‐HT3D 5‐HT3E
HGNC, UniProt HTR3A, P46098 HTR3B, O95264 HTR3C, Q8WXA8 HTR3D, Q70Z44 HTR3E, A5X5Y0
Functional Characteristics γ = 0.4‐0.8 pS [+ 5‐HT3B, γ = 16 pS]; inwardly rectifying current [+ 5‐HT3B, rectification reduced]; nH 2‐3 [+ 5‐HT3B 1‐2]; relative permeability to divalent cations reduced by co‐expression of the 5‐HT3B subunit γ = 0.4‐0.8 pS [+ 5‐HT3B, γ = 16 pS]; inwardly rectifying current [+ 5‐HT3B, rectification reduced]; nH 2‐3 [+ 5‐HT3B 1‐2]; relative permeability to divalent cations reduced by co‐expression of the 5‐HT3B subunit
Nomenclature ASIC1 ASIC2 ASIC3
HGNC, UniProt ASIC1, P78348 ASIC2, Q16515 ASIC3, Q9UHC3
Functional Characteristics ASIC1a: γ 14pS PNa/PK = 5‐13, PNa/PCa =2.5 rapid activation rate (5.8‐13.7 ms), rapid inactivation rate (1.2‐4 s) @ pH 6.0, slow recovery (5.3‐13s) @ pH 7.4 ASIC1b: γ  19 pS PNa/PK =14.0, PNa≫ PCa rapid activation rate (9.9 ms), rapid inactivation rate (0.9‐1.7 s) @ pH 6.0, slow recovery (4.4‐7.7 s) @ pH 7.4 γ 10.4‐13.4 pS PNa/PK =10, PNa/PCa = 20 rapid activation rate, moderate inactivation rate (3.3‐5.5 s) @ pH 5 γ  13‐15 pS; biphasic response consisting of rapidly inactivating transient and sustained components; very rapid activation (<5 ms) and inactivation (0.4 s); fast recovery (0.4‐0.6 s) @ pH 7.4, transient component partially inactivated at pH 7.2
Endogenous activatorsExtracellular H+ (ASIC1a) (pEC50∼6.2–6.8), Extracellular H+ (ASIC1b) (pEC50∼5.1–6.2)Extracellular H+ (pEC50∼4.1–5)Extracellular H+ (transient component) (pEC50∼6.2–6.7), Extracellular H+ (sustained component) (pEC50∼3.5–4.3)
Activators GMQ (largly non‐desensitizing; at pH 7.4) (pEC50∼3), arcaine (at pH 7.4) (pEC50∼2.9), agmatine (at pH 7.4) (pEC50∼2)
Channel blockers psalmotoxin 1 (ASIC1a) (pIC50 9), Zn2+ (ASIC1a) (pIC50∼8.2), Pb2+ (ASIC1b) (pIC50∼5.8), A‐317567 (ASIC1a) (pIC50∼5.7) [87] – Rat, Pb2+ (ASIC1a) (pIC50∼5.4), amiloride (ASIC1a) (pIC50 5), benzamil (ASIC1a) (pIC50 5), ethylisopropylamiloride (ASIC1a) (pIC50 5), nafamostat (ASIC1a) (pIC50∼4.9), amiloride (ASIC1b) (pIC50 4.6–4.7), flurbiprofen (ASIC1a) (pIC50 3.5) [345] – Rat, ibuprofen (ASIC1a) (pIC50∼3.5), Ni2+ (ASIC1a) (pIC50∼3.2) amiloride (pIC50 4.6), A‐317567 (pIC50∼4.5), nafamostat (pIC50∼4.2), Cd2+ (pIC50∼3) APETx2 (transient component only) (pIC50 7.2), nafamostat (transient component) (pIC50∼5.6), A‐317567 (pIC50∼5), amiloride (transient component only ‐ sustained component enhanced by 200μM amiloride at pH 4) (pIC50 4.2–4.8), Gd3+ (pIC50 4.4), Zn2+ (pIC50 4.2), aspirin (sustained component) (pIC50 4) [345], diclofenac (sustained component) (pIC50 4), salicylic acid (sustained component) (pIC50 3.6)
Labelled ligands [125I]psalmotoxin 1 (ASIC1a) (pK d 9.7)
CommentsASIC1a and ASIC1b are also blocked by diarylamidines (IC50  3 μM for ASIC1a)ASIC2 is also blocked by diarylamidinesASIC3 is also blocked by diarylamidines
Nomenclature ENaCαβγ
Subunits ENaC β, ENaC α, ENaC γ
Functional Characteristics γ≈ 4‐5 pS, PNa/PK> 20; tonically open at rest; expression and ion flux regulated by circulating aldosterone‐mediated changes in gene transcription. The action of aldosterone, which occurs in ‘early’ (1.5‐3 h) and ‘late’ (6‐24 hr) phases is competitively antagonised by spironolactone, its active metabolites and eplerenone. Glucocorticoids are important functional regulators in lung/airways and this control is potentiated by thyroid hormone; but the mechanism underlying such potentiation is unclear [18, 287, 296]. The density of channels in the apical membrane, and hence GNa, can be controlled via both serum and glucocorticoid‐regulated kinases (SGK1, 2 and 3) [70, 101] and via cAMP/PKA [246]; and these protein kinases appear to act by inactivating Nedd‐4/2, a ubiquitin ligase that normally targets the ENaC channel complex for internalization and degradation [31, 70]. ENaC is constitutively activated by soluble and membrane‐bound serine proteases, such as furin, prostasin (CAP1), plasmin and elastase [186, 187, 281, 289, 290]. The activation of ENaC by proteases is blocked by a protein, SPLUNC1, secreted by the airways and which binds specifically to ENaC to prevent its cleavage [108]. Pharmacological inhibitors of proteases (e.g. camostat acting upon prostasin) reduce the activity of ENaC [219]. Phosphatidylinositides such as PtIns(4,5)P2 and PtIns(3,4,5)P3) stabilise channel gating probably by binding to the β and γ ENaC subunits, respectively [217, 283], whilst C terminal phosphorylation of β and γ‐ENaC by ERK1/2 has been reported to inhibit the withdrawal of the channel complex from the apical membrane [367]. This effect may contribute to the cAMP‐mediated increase in sodium conductance.
Activators S3969 (pEC50 5.9) [211]
Channel blockers P552‐02 (pIC50 8.1), benzamil (pIC50∼8), amiloride (pIC50 6.7–7), triamterene (pIC50∼5.3) [44, 176]
Nomenclature ENaC α ENaC β ENaC δ ENaC γ
HGNC, UniProt SCNN1A, P37088 SCNN1B, P51168 SCNN1D, P51172 SCNN1G, P51170
Nomenclature GABAA receptor α1 subunit GABAA receptor α2 subunit GABAA receptor α3 subunit
HGNC, UniProt GABRA1, P14867 GABRA2, P47869 GABRA3, P34903
Agonists gaboxadol [GABA site], isoguvacine [GABA site], isonipecotic acid [GABA site], muscimol [GABA site], piperidine‐4‐sulphonic acid [GABA site] gaboxadol [GABA site], isoguvacine [GABA site], isonipecotic acid [GABA site], muscimol [GABA site], piperidine‐4‐sulphonic acid [GABA site] gaboxadol [GABA site], isoguvacine [GABA site], isonipecotic acid [GABA site], muscimol [GABA site], piperidine‐4‐sulphonic acid [GABA site]
Selective antagonists bicuculline [GABA site], gabazine [GABA site] bicuculline [GABA site], gabazine [GABA site] bicuculline [GABA site], gabazine [GABA site]
Channel blockers TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin
Endogenous allosteric modulators 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (Potentiation), Zn2+ (Inhibition), tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (Potentiation)
Nomenclature GABAA receptor α1 subunit GABAA receptor α2 subunit GABAA receptor α3 subunit
Allosteric modulators clonazepam (Positive) (pK i 8.9) [285], flunitrazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pK i 8.3) [122], diazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pK i 7.8) [285], alprazolam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pEC50 7.4) [6], α3IA [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), α5IA [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), DMCM [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), MRK016 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), RO4938581 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), Ro15‐4513 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), Ro19‐4603 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), TP003 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), TPA023 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), bretazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist), flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist) clonazepam (Positive) (pK i 8.8) [285], flunitrazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pK i 8.3) [122], alprazolam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pEC50 7.9) [6], diazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pK i 7.8) [285], α3IA [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), α5IA [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), DMCM [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), MRK016 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), RO4938581 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), Ro15‐4513 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), Ro19‐4603 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), TP003 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), ZK93426 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), bretazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist), flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), ocinaplon [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist) clonazepam (Positive) (pK i 8.7) [285], flunitrazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pK i 7.8) [122], diazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pK i 7.8) [285], alprazolam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pEC50 7.2) [6], α5IA [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), DMCM [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), MRK016 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), RO4938581 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), Ro15‐4513 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), ZK93426 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), bretazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist), flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), ocinaplon [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist)
Selective allosteric modulators zolpidem (Positive) (pK i 7.4–7.7) [123, 299], L838417 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), ZK93426 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), indiplon [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist), ocinaplon [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist) L838417 [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist), TPA023 [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist) α3IA [benzodiazepine site] (higher affinity), L838417 [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist), Ro19‐4603 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), TP003 [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist), TPA023 [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist)
Labelled ligands [11C]flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [18F]fluoroethylflumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [35S]TBPS [anion channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]CGS8216 [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Mixed), [3H]flunitrazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Positive), [3H]gabazine [GABA site] (Antagonist), [3H]muscimol [GABA site] (Agonist), [3H]zolpidem [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Positive) [11C]flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [18F]fluoroethylflumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [35S]TBPS [anion channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]CGS8216 [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Mixed), [3H]flunitrazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Full agonist), [3H]gabazine [GABA site] (Antagonist), [3H]muscimol [GABA site] (Agonist) [11C]flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [18F]fluoroethylflumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [35S]TBPS [anion channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]CGS8216 [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Mixed), [3H]flunitrazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Full agonist), [3H]gabazine [GABA site] (Antagonist), [3H]muscimol [GABA site] (Agonist)
Comments Zn2+ is an endogenous allosteric regulator and causes potent inhibition of receptors formed from binary combinations of α and β subunits, incorporation of a δ or γ subunit causes a modest, or pronounced, reduction in inhibitory potency, respectively [191]
Nomenclature GABAA receptor α4 subunit GABAA receptor α5 subunit GABAA receptor α6 subunit
HGNC, UniProt GABRA4, P48169 GABRA5, P31644 GABRA6, Q16445
Agonists gaboxadol [GABA site], isoguvacine [GABA site], muscimol [GABA site], piperidine‐4‐sulphonic acid [GABA site] (low efficacy) gaboxadol [GABA site], isoguvacine [GABA site], isonipecotic acid [GABA site], muscimol [GABA site], piperidine‐4‐sulphonic acid [GABA site] gaboxadol [GABA site], isoguvacine [GABA site], muscimol [GABA site], piperidine‐4‐sulphonic acid [GABA site] (low efficacy)
Selective agonists isonipecotic acid [GABA site] (relatively high efficacy) isonipecotic acid [GABA site] (relatively high efficacy)
Selective antagonists bicuculline [GABA site], gabazine [GABA site] bicuculline [GABA site], gabazine [GABA site] bicuculline [GABA site], gabazine [GABA site]
Channel blockers TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin
Endogenous allosteric modulators 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (Potentiation), Zn2+ (Inhibition), tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (Potentiation) 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (Potentiation), Zn2+ (Inhibition), tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (Potentiation) 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (Potentiation), Zn2+ (Inhibition), tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (Potentiation)
Allosteric modulators flumazenil (Partial agonist) flunitrazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pK i 8.3) [122], alprazolam [benzodiazepine site] (Positive) (pEC50 8) [6], α3IA [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), DMCM [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), Ro15‐4513 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), Ro19‐4603 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), TP003 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), TPA023 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), ZK93426 [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), bretazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist), flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Antagonist), ocinaplon [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist) bretazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist), flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist)
Selective allosteric modulators Ro15‐4513 [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist), bretazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist) α5IA [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), L655708 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), L838417 [benzodiazepine site] (Partial agonist), MRK016 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), RO4938581 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist), RY024 [benzodiazepine site] (Inverse agonist) Ro15‐4513 [benzodiazepine site] (Full agonist)
Labelled ligands [11C]flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Partial agonist), [18F]fluoroethylflumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [35S]TBPS [anion channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]CGS8216 [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Mixed), [3H]Ro154513 [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Full agonist), [3H]gabazine [GABA site] (Antagonist), [3H]muscimol [GABA site] (Agonist) [3H]RY80 [benzodiazepine site] (Selective Binding) (pK d 9.2) [309] – Rat, [11C]flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [18F]fluoroethylflumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [35S]TBPS [anion channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]CGS8216 [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Mixed), [3H]L655708 [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Inverse agonist), [3H]flunitrazepam [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Full agonist), [3H]gabazine [GABA site] (Antagonist), [3H]muscimol [GABA site] (Agonist) [11C]flumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Partial agonist), [18F]fluoroethylflumazenil [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Antagonist), [35S]TBPS [anion channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]CGS8216 [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Mixed), [3H]Ro154513 [benzodiazepine site] (Allosteric modulator, Full agonist), [3H]gabazine [GABA site] (Antagonist), [3H]muscimol [GABA site] (Agonist)
Comments diazepam and flunitrazepam are not active at this subunit. Zn2+ is an endogenous allosteric regulator and causes potent inhibition of receptors formed from binary combinations of α and β subunits, incorporation of a δ or γ subunit causes a modest, or pronounced, reduction in inhibitory potency, respectively [191]. [3H]Ro154513 selectively labels α4‐subunit‐containing receptors in the presence of a saturating concentration of a 'classical' benzodiazepine (e.g. diazepam) Zn2+ is an endogenous allosteric regulator and causes potent inhibition of receptors formed from binary combinations of α and β subunits, incorporation of a δ or γ subunit causes a modest, or pronounced, reduction in inhibitory potency, respectively [191] diazepam and flunitrazepam are not active at this subunit. Zn2+ is an endogenous allosteric regulator and causes potent inhibition of receptors formed from binary combinations of α and β subunits, incorporation of a δ or γ subunit causes a modest, or pronounced, reduction in inhibitory potency, respectively [191]. [3H]Ro154513 selectively labels α6‐subunit‐containing receptors in the presence of a saturating concentration of a 'classical' benzodiazepine (e.g. diazepam)
Nomenclature GABAA receptor β1 subunit GABAA receptor β2 subunit GABAA receptor β3 subunit GABAA receptor γ1 subunit GABAA receptor γ2 subunit
HGNC, UniProt GABRB1, P18505 GABRB2, P47870 GABRB3, P28472 GABRG1, Q8N1C3 GABRG2, P18507
Channel blockers TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin
Allosteric modulators etazolate (Binding) (pIC50 5.5) [378]
Comments Zn2+ is an endogenous allosteric regulator and causes potent inhibition of receptors formed from binary combinations of α and β subunits, incorporation of a δ or γ subunit causes a modest, or pronounced, reduction in inhibitory potency, respectively [191]
Nomenclature GABAA receptor γ3 subunit GABAA receptor δ subunit GABAA receptor ε subunit GABAA receptor θ subunit GABAA receptor π subunit
HGNC, UniProt GABRG3, Q99928 GABRD, O14764 GABRE, P78334 GABRQ, Q9UN88 GABRP, O00591
Selective agonists gaboxadol [GABA site]
Channel blockers TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin
Comments Zn2+ is an endogenous allosteric regulator and causes potent inhibition of receptors formed from binary combinations of α and β subunits, incorporation of a δ or γ subunit causes a modest, or pronounced, reduction in inhibitory potency, respectively [191] Zn2+ is an endogenous allosteric regulator and causes potent inhibition of receptors formed from binary combinations of α and β subunits, incorporation of a δ or γ subunit causes a modest, or pronounced, reduction in inhibitory potency, respectively
Nomenclature GABAA receptor ρ1 subunit GABAA receptor ρ2 subunit GABAA receptor ρ3 subunit
HGNC, UniProt GABRR1, P24046 GABRR2, P28476 GABRR3, A8MPY1
Agonists isoguvacine [GABA site] (Partial agonist), muscimol [GABA site] (Partial agonist) isoguvacine [GABA site] (Partial agonist), muscimol [GABA site] (Partial agonist) isoguvacine [GABA site] (Partial agonist), muscimol [GABA site] (Partial agonist)
Selective agonists (±)‐cis‐2‐CAMP [GABA site], 5‐Me‐IAA [GABA site] (±)‐cis‐2‐CAMP [GABA site], 5‐Me‐IAA [GABA site] (±)‐cis‐2‐CAMP [GABA site], 5‐Me‐IAA [GABA site]
Antagonists gaboxadol [GABA site], isonipecotic acid [GABA site], piperidine‐4‐sulphonic acid [GABA site] gaboxadol [GABA site], isonipecotic acid [GABA site], piperidine‐4‐sulphonic acid [GABA site] gaboxadol [GABA site], isonipecotic acid [GABA site], piperidine‐4‐sulphonic acid [GABA site]
Selective antagonists cis‐3‐ACPBPA [GABA site], trans‐3‐ACPBPA [GABA site], TPMPA [GABA site], aza‐THIP [GABA site] cis‐3‐ACPBPA [GABA site], trans‐3‐ACPBPA [GABA site], TPMPA [GABA site], aza‐THIP [GABA site] cis‐3‐ACPBPA [GABA site], trans‐3‐ACPBPA [GABA site], TPMPA [GABA site], aza‐THIP [GABA site]
Channel blockers TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin TBPS, picrotoxin
Comments bicuculline is not active at this subunit bicuculline is not active at this subunit bicuculline is not active at this subunit
Nomenclature glycine receptor α1 subunit glycine receptor α2 subunit
HGNC, UniProt GLRA1, P23415 GLRA2, P23416
Selective agonists (potency order) glycine>β‐alanine>taurine glycine>β‐alanine>taurine
Functional Characteristics γ = 86 pS (main state); (+ β = 44 pS) γ = 111 pS (main state); (+ β = 54 pS)
Selective antagonists ginkgolide X (pIC50 6.1), pregnenolone sulphate (pK i 5.7), nifedipine (pIC50 5.5), bilobalide (pIC50 4.7), tropisetron (pK i 4.1), colchicine (pIC50 3.5), HU‐308 (weak inhibition), PMBA, strychnine HU‐210 (pIC50 7), WIN55212‐2 (pIC50 6.7), HU‐308 (pIC50 6), ginkgolide X (pIC50 5.6), pregnenolone sulphate (pK i 5.3), bilobalide (pIC50 5.1), tropisetron (pK i 4.9), colchicine (pIC50 4.2), 5,7‐dichlorokynurenic acid (pIC50 3.7), PMBA, strychnine
Channel blockers ginkgolide B (pIC50 5.1–6.2), cyanotriphenylborate (pIC50 5.9) [292], picrotin (pIC50 5.3), picrotoxinin (pIC50 5.3), picrotoxin (pIC50 5.2) picrotoxinin (pIC50 6.4), picrotoxin (pIC50 5.6), ginkgolide B (pIC50 4.9–5.4), picrotin (pIC50 4.9), cyanotriphenylborate (pIC50>4.7) [292]
Endogenous allosteric modulators Zn2+ (Potentiation) (pEC50 7.4), Cu2+ (Inhibition) (pIC50 4.8–5.4), Zn2+ (Inhibition) (pIC50 4.8), Extracellular H+ (Inhibition) Zn2+ (Potentiation) (pEC50 6.3), Cu2+ (Inhibition) (pIC50 4.8), Zn2+ (Inhibition) (pIC50 3.4)
Selective allosteric modulators anandamide (Potentiation) (pEC50 7.4), HU‐210 (Potentiation) (pEC50 6.6), Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Potentiation) (pEC50∼5.5) Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Potentiation) (pEC50∼6)
Labelled ligands [3H]strychnine (Antagonist) [3H]strychnine (Antagonist)
Nomenclature glycine receptor α3 subunit glycine receptor α4 subunit (pseudogene in humans) glycine receptor β subunit
HGNC, UniProt GLRA3, O75311 GLRA4, Q5JXX5 GLRB, P48167
Selective agonists (potency order) glycine>β‐alanine>taurine
Functional Characteristics γ = 105 pS (main state); (+ β = 48)
Selective antagonists HU‐210 (pIC50 7.3), HU‐308 (pIC50 7), WIN55212‐2 (pIC50 7), (12E,20Z,18S)‐8‐hydroxyvariabilin (pIC50 5.2), nifedipine (pIC50 4.5), strychnine nifedipine (when co‐expressed with the α1 subunit) (pIC50 5.9), pregnenolone sulphate (when co‐expressed with the α1 subunit) (pK i 5.6), tropisetron (when co‐expressed with the α2 subunit) (pK i 5.3), pregnenolone sulphate (when co‐expressed with the α2 subunit) (pK i 5), nifedipine (when co‐expressed with the α3 subunit) (pIC50 4.9), bilobalide (when co‐expressed with the α2 subunit) (pIC50 4.3), bilobalide (when co‐expressed with the α1 subunit) (pIC50 3.7), ginkgolide X (when co‐expressed with the α1 subunit) (pIC50>3.5), ginkgolide X (when co‐expressed with the α2 subunit) (pIC50>3.5)
Channel blockers picrotoxinin (pIC50 6.4), ginkgolide B (pIC50 5.7), picrotin (pIC50 5.2), picrotoxin (block is weaker when β subunit is co‐expressed) ginkgolide B (when co‐expressed with the α2 subunit) (pIC50 6.1–6.9), ginkgolide B (when co‐expressed with the α1 subunit) (pIC50 5.6–6.7), ginkgolide B (when co‐expressed with the α3 subunit) (pIC50 6.3), cyanotriphenylborate (when co‐expressed with the human α1 subunit) (pIC50 5.6) [292] – Rat, cyanotriphenylborate (when co‐expressed with the human α2 subunit) (pIC50 5.1) [292] – Rat, picrotoxinin (when co‐expressed with the α3 subunit) (pIC50 5.1), picrotin (when co‐expressed with the α1 subunit) (pIC50 4.6), picrotin (when co‐expressed with the α3 subunit) (pIC50 4.6), picrotoxinin (when co‐expressed with the α1 subunit) (pIC50 4.6), picrotoxin (when co‐expressed with the α2 subunit) (pIC50 4.5), picrotoxin (when co‐expressed with the α1 subunit) (pIC50 3.7)
Endogenous allosteric modulators Cu2+ (Inhibition) (pIC50 5), Zn2+ (Inhibition) (pIC50 3.8) Zn2+ (Inhibition) (pIC50 4.9), Zn2+ (Inhibition) (pIC50 3.7)
Selective allosteric modulators Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Potentiation) (pEC50∼5.3)
Labelled ligands [3H]strychnine (Antagonist)
CommentsLigand interaction data for hetero‐oligomer receptors containing the β subunit are also listed under the α subunit
Nomenclature GluA1 GluA2 GluA3 GluA4
HGNC, UniProt GRIA1, P42261 GRIA2, P42262 GRIA3, P42263 GRIA4, P48058
Agonists (S)‐5‐fluorowillardiine, AMPA (S)‐5‐fluorowillardiine, AMPA (S)‐5‐fluorowillardiine, AMPA (S)‐5‐fluorowillardiine, AMPA
Selective antagonists ATPO, GYKI53655, GYKI53784 (active isomer, non‐competitive), NBQX, tezampanel ATPO, GYKI53655, GYKI53784 (active isomer, non‐competitive), NBQX, tezampanel ATPO, GYKI53655, GYKI53784 (active isomer, non‐competitive), NBQX, tezampanel ATPO, GYKI53655, GYKI53784 (active isomer, non‐competitive), NBQX, tezampanel
Channel blockersextracellular argiotoxin, extracellular joro toxin (selective for channels lacking GluA2)extracellular argiotoxin extracellular argiotoxin, extracellular joro toxin (selective for channels lacking GluA2)extracellular argiotoxin, extracellular joro toxin (selective for channels lacking GluA2)
Allosteric modulators LY392098 (Positive) (pEC50 5.8) [240], LY404187 (Positive) (pEC50 5.2) [240], cyclothiazide (Positive) (pEC50 4.7) [240], CX516 (Positive), CX546 (Positive), IDRA‐21 (Positive),
LY503430 (Positive), S18986 (Positive), aniracetam (Positive), piracetam (Positive)
Labelled ligands [3H]AMPA (Agonist), [3H]CNQX (Antagonist) [3H]AMPA (Agonist), [3H]CNQX (Antagonist) [3H]AMPA, [3H]CNQX [3H]AMPA (Agonist), [3H]CNQX
Comments piracetam and aniracetam are examples of pyrrolidinones. cyclothiazide, S18986, and IDRA‐21 are examples of benzothiadiazides. CX516 and CX546 are examples of
benzylpiperidines. LY392098, LY404187 and LY503430 are examples of biarylpropylsulfonamides. Also blocked by intracellular polyamines.
Nomenclature GluD1 GluD2 GluK1 GluK2 GluK3 GluK4 GluK5
HGNC, UniProt GRID1, Q9ULK0 GRID2, O43424 GRIK1, P39086 GRIK2, Q13002 GRIK3, Q13003 GRIK4, Q16099 GRIK5, Q16478
Agonists (S)‐4‐AHCP, (S)‐5‐iodowillardiine, 8‐deoxy‐neodysiherbaine, ATPA, LY339434, SYM2081, domoic acid, dysiherbaine, kainate SYM2081, domoic acid, dysiherbaine, kainate SYM2081, dysiherbaine, kainate (low potency) SYM2081, domoic acid, dysiherbaine, kainate SYM2081, domoic acid, dysiherbaine, kainate
Selective antagonists 2,4‐epi‐neodysiherbaine, ACET, LY382884, LY466195, MSVIII‐19, NS3763 (non‐competitive), UBP302, UBP310 2,4‐epi‐neodysiherbaine
Allosteric modulators concanavalin A (Positive) concanavalin A (Positive)
Labelled ligands [3H]UBP310 (Antagonist) (pK d 7.7) [13], [3H](2S,4R)‐4‐methylglutamate (Agonist), [3H]kainate (Agonist) [3H](2S,4R)‐4‐methylglutamate (Agonist), [3H]kainate (Agonist) [3H]UBP310 (Antagonist) (pK d 6.3) [13], [3H](2S,4R)‐4‐methylglutamate (Agonist), [3H]kainate (Agonist) [3H](2S,4R)‐4‐methylglutamate (Agonist), [3H]kainate (Agonist) [3H](2S,4R)‐4‐methylglutamate (Agonist), [3H]kainate (Agonist)
CommentsIntracellular polyamines are subtype selective channel blockers (GluK3 ≫ GluK2) domoic acid and concanavalin A are inactive at the GluK3 subunit. Intracellular polyamines are subtype selective channel blockers (GluK3 ≫ GluK2)
Nomenclature GluN1 GluN2A GluN2B GluN2C GluN2D
HGNC, UniProt GRIN1, Q05586 GRIN2A, Q12879 GRIN2B, Q13224 GRIN2C, Q14957 GRIN2D, O15399
Endogenous agonists D‐aspartic acid [glutamate site], D‐serine [glycine site], L‐aspartic acid [glutamate site], glycine [glycine site] D‐aspartic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C = GluN2B > GluN2A), D‐serine [glycine site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A), L‐aspartic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2D = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2A), glycine [glycine site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A) D‐aspartic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C = GluN2B > GluN2A), D‐serine [glycine site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A), L‐aspartic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2D = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2A), glycine [glycine site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A) D‐aspartic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C = GluN2B > GluN2A), D‐serine [glycine site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A), L‐aspartic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2D = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2A), glycine [glycine site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A) D‐aspartic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C = GluN2B > GluN2A), D‐serine [glycine site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A), L‐aspartic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2D = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2A), glycine [glycine site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A)
Agonists (+)‐HA966 [glycine site] (Partial agonist), (RS)‐(tetrazol‐5‐yl)glycine [glutamate site], NMDA [glutamate site], homoquinolinic acid [glutamate site] (Partial agonist) (+)‐HA966 [glycine site] (Partial agonist), (RS)‐(tetrazol‐5‐yl)glycine [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C = GluN2B > GluN2A), NMDA [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A), homoquinolinic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2B ≥ GluN2A ≥ GluN2D > GluN2C; partial agonist at GluN2A and GluN2C) (+)‐HA966 [glycine site] (Partial agonist), (RS)‐(tetrazol‐5‐yl)glycine [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C = GluN2B > GluN2A), NMDA [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A), homoquinolinic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2B ≥ GluN2A ≥ GluN2D > GluN2C; partial agonist at GluN2A and GluN2C) (RS)‐(tetrazol‐5‐yl)glycine [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C = GluN2B > GluN2A), NMDA [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A), homoquinolinic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2B ≥ GluN2A ≥ GluN2D > GluN2C; partial agonist at GluN2A and GluN2C) (RS)‐(tetrazol‐5‐yl)glycine [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C = GluN2B > GluN2A), NMDA [glutamate site] (GluN2D > GluN2C > GluN2B > GluN2A), homoquinolinic acid [glutamate site] (GluN2B ≥ GluN2A ≥ GluN2D > GluN2C; partial agonist at GluN2A and GluN2C)
Selective antagonists 5,7‐dichlorokynurenic acid [glycine site], GV196771A [glycine site], L689560 [glycine site], L701324 [glycine site] 5,7‐dichlorokynurenic acid [glycine site], CGP37849 [glutamate site], GV196771A [glycine site], L689560 [glycine site], L701324 [glycine site], LY233053 [glutamate site], NVP‐AAM077 [glutamate site] (GluN2A > GluN2B (human), but weakly selective for rat GluN2A versus GluN2B) [14, 97, 103, 252], UBP141 [glutamate site] (GluN2D ≥ GluN2C > GluN2A ≥ GluN2B) [245], conantokin‐G [glutamate site] (GluN2B > GluN2D = GluN2C = GluN2A), d‐AP5 [glutamate site], d‐CCPene [glutamate site] (GluN2A = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2D), selfotel [glutamate site] 5,7‐dichlorokynurenic acid [glycine site], CGP37849 [glutamate site], GV196771A [glycine site], L689560 [glycine site], L701324 [glycine site], LY233053 [glutamate site], NVP‐AAM077 [glutamate site] (GluN2A > GluN2B (human), but weakly selective for rat GluN2A versus GluN2B) [14, 97, 103, 252], UBP141 [glutamate site] (GluN2D ≥ GluN2C > GluN2A ≥ GluN2B) [245], conantokin‐G [glutamate site] (GluN2B > GluN2D = GluN2C = GluN2A), d‐AP5 [glutamate site], d‐CCPene [glutamate site] (GluN2A = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2D), selfotel [glutamate site] 5,7‐dichlorokynurenic acid [glycine site], CGP37849 [glutamate site], GV196771A [glycine site], L689560 [glycine site], L701324 [glycine site], LY233053 [glutamate site], UBP141 [glutamate site] (GluN2D ≥ GluN2C > GluN2A ≥ GluN2B) [245], conantokin‐G [glutamate site] (GluN2B > GluN2D = GluN2C = GluN2A), d‐AP5 [glutamate site], d‐CCPene [glutamate site] (GluN2A = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2D), selfotel [glutamate site] 5,7‐dichlorokynurenic acid [glycine site], CGP37849 [glutamate site], GV196771A [glycine site], L689560 [glycine site], L701324 [glycine site], LY233053 [glutamate site], UBP141 [glutamate site] (GluN2D ≥ GluN2C > GluN2A ≥ GluN2B) [245], conantokin‐G [glutamate site] (GluN2B > GluN2D = GluN2C = GluN2A), d‐AP5 [glutamate site], d‐CCPene [glutamate site] (GluN2A = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2D), selfotel [glutamate site]
Channel blockers Mg2+ (GluN2A = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2D), N1‐dansyl‐spermine (GluN2A = GluN2B ≫ GluN2C = GluN2D), amantidine (GluN2C = GluN2D ≥ GluN2B ≥ GluN2A), dizocilpine, ketamine, phencyclidine Mg2+ (GluN2A = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2D), N1‐dansyl‐spermine (GluN2A = GluN2B ≫ GluN2C = GluN2D), amantidine (GluN2C = GluN2D ≥ GluN2B ≥ GluN2A), dizocilpine, ketamine, phencyclidine Mg2+ (GluN2A = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2D), N1‐dansyl‐spermine (GluN2A = GluN2B ≫ GluN2C = GluN2D), amantidine (GluN2C = GluN2D ≥ GluN2B ≥ GluN2A), dizocilpine, ketamine, phencyclidine Mg2+ (GluN2A = GluN2B > GluN2C = GluN2D), N1‐dansyl‐spermine (GluN2A = GluN2B ≫ GluN2C = GluN2D), amantidine (GluN2C = GluN2D ≥ GluN2B ≥ GluN2A), dizocilpine, ketamine, phencyclidine
Labelled ligands [3H]CGP39653 [glutamate site] (Selective Antagonist), [3H]CGP61594 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]CGS19755 [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]CPP [glutamate site] (Selective Antagonist), [3H]L689560 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]MDL105519 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]dizocilpine [cation channel] (Antagonist), [3H]glycine [glycine site] (Agonist) [3H]CGP39653 [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]CGP61594 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]CGS19755 [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]CPP [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]L689560 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]MDL105519 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]dizocilpine [cation channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]glycine [glycine site] (Agonist) [3H]CGP39653 [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]CGP61594 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]CGS19755 [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]CPP [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]L689560 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]MDL105519 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]dizocilpine [cation channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]glycine [glycine site] (Agonist) [3H]CGP39653 [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]CGP61594 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]CGS19755 [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]CPP [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]L689560 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]MDL105519 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]dizocilpine [cation channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]glycine [glycine site] (Agonist) [3H]CGP39653 [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]CGP61594 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]CGS19755 [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]CPP [glutamate site] (Antagonist), [3H]L689560 [glycine site] (Selective Antagonist), [3H]MDL105519 [glycine site] (Antagonist), [3H]dizocilpine [cation channel] (Channel blocker), [3H]glycine [glycine site] (Agonist)
Nomenclature GluN3A GluN3B
HGNC, UniProt GRIN3A, Q8TCU5 GRIN3B, O60391
CommentsSee the main comments section below for information on the pharmacology of GluN3A and GluN3B subunits
Nomenclature IP3R1 IP3R2 IP3R3
HGNC, UniProt ITPR1, Q14643 ITPR2, Q14571 ITPR3, Q14573
Functional CharacteristicsCa2+: (PBa/PK  6) single‐channel conductance  70 pS (50 mM Ca2+)Ca2+: single‐channel conductance  70 pS (50 mM Ca2+)  390 pS (220 mM Cs+)Ca2+: single‐channel conductance  88 pS (55 mM Ba2+)
Endogenous activatorscytosolic ATP (< mM range), cytosolic Ca2+ Concentration range: <7.5 × 10−4M, IP3 (endogenous; nM ‐ μM range)cytosolic Ca2+ (nM range), IP3 (endogenous; nM ‐ μM range)cytosolic Ca2+ (nM range), IP3 (endogenous; nM ‐ μM range)
Activators adenophostin A (pharmacological; nM range), inositol 2,4,5‐trisphosphate (pharmacological; also activated by other InsP3 analogues) adenophostin A (pharmacological; nM range), inositol 2,4,5‐trisphosphate (pharmacological; also activated by other InsP3 analogues)
Antagonists PIP2 (μM range), caffeine (mM range), decavanadate (μM range), xestospongin C (μM range) decavanadate (μM range) decavanadate (μM range)
CommentsIP3 R1 is also antagonised by calmodulin at high cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations
Nomenclature nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α1 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α2 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α3 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4 subunit
HGNC, UniProt CHRNA1, P02708 CHRNA2, Q15822 CHRNA3, P32297 CHRNA4, P43681
Commonly used antagonists(α1)2 β1γ δ and (α1)2 β1δ ε: α‐bungarotoxin>pancuronium>vecuronium>rocuronium>tubocurarine (IC50 = 43 ‐ 82 nM)α2β2: DHβE (K B = 0.9 μM), tubocurarine (K B = 1.4 μM); α2β4: DHβE (K B = 3.6 μM), tubocurarine (K B = 4.2 μM)α3β2: DHβE (K B = 1.6 μM, IC50 = 2.0 μM), tubocurarine (K B = 2.4 μM); α3β4: DHβE (K B = 19 μM, IC50 = 26 μM), tubocurarine (K B = 2.2 μM)α4β2: DHβE (K B = 0.1 μM; IC50 = 0.08 ‐ 0.9 μM), tubocurarine (K B = 3.2 μM, IC50 = 34 μM); α4β4: DHβE (K B = 0.01 μM, IC50 = 0.19 ‐ 1.2 μM), tubocurarine (K B = 0.2 μM, IC50 = 50 μM)
Functional Characteristics(α1)2 β γ δ: PCa/PNa = 0.16 ‐ 0.2, P f = 2.1 ‐ 2.9%; (α1)2 β δ ε: PCa/PNa = 0.65 ‐ 1.38, P f = 4.1 ‐ 7.2%α2β2: PCa/PNa   1.5α3β2: PCa/PNa = 1.5; α3β4: PCa/PNa = 0.78 ‐ 1.1, P f = 2.7 ‐ 4.6%α4β2: PCa/PNa = 1.65, P f = 2.6 ‐ 2.9%; α4β4: P f = 1.5 ‐ 3.0 %
Selective agonists succinylcholine (selective for (α1)2 β1γ δ) varenicline (pK i 6.6) [61], TC‐2559 (α4β2) [57], rivanicline (α4β2) [270]
Selective antagonists α‐bungarotoxin, α‐conotoxin GI, α‐conotoxin MI, pancuronium, waglerin‐1 (selective for (α1)2 β1δ ε) α‐conotoxin AuIB (α3β4), α‐conotoxin MII (α3β2), α‐conotoxin PnIA (α3β2), α‐conotoxin TxIA (α3β2), α‐conotoxin‐GIC (α3β2)
Channel blockers gallamine ((α1)2 β1γ δ and (α1)2 β1δ ε) (pIC50∼6), mecamylamine ((α1)2 β1δ ε) (pIC50∼5.8) hexamethonium, mecamylamine mecamylamine (α3β4) (pIC50 6.4), mecamylamine (α3β2) (pIC50 5.1), A‐867744 (α3β4) [222], NS1738 (α3β4) [335], hexamethonium (α3β4), hexamethonium (α3β2) mecamylamine (α4β2) (pIC50 5.4–5.4), mecamylamine (α4β4) (pIC50 6.5–5.3), hexamethonium (α4β2) (pIC50 5.2–4.5), hexamethonium (α4β4) (pIC50 4), A‐867744 (α4β2) [222], NS1738 (α4β2) [335]
Allosteric modulators LY2087101 (Positive) [37] LY2087101 (Positive) [37]
Selective allosteric modulators NS9283 (Positive) [198]
Labelled ligands [125I]α‐bungarotoxin (Selective Antagonist), [3H]α‐bungarotoxin (Selective Antagonist) [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 11–10.7) – Rat, [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 11–10.7) – Rat, [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 10.4), [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 10.4), [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 10.1–10.1) – Rat, [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 10.1–10.1) – Rat, [3H]cytisine (Agonist) [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 11.1), [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 11.1), [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 10.9–10.5) – Rat, [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 10.9–10.5) – Rat, [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.6), [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.6), [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.5–9.5) – Rat, [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.5–9.5) – Rat, [3H]cytisine (Agonist) [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 11–10.5), [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 11–10.5), [3H]cytisine (Agonist) (pK d 10), [3H]cytisine (Agonist) (pK d 10) – Rat, [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.7), [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.7), [3H]nicotine (Agonist) (pK d 9.4) – Rat, [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.5–9.3) – Rat, [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.5–9.3) – Rat, [3H]cytisine (Agonist) (pK d 9.4–9.2), [125I]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.1–9) – Rat, [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 9.1–9) – Rat
Nomenclature nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α5 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α6 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subunit
HGNC, UniProt CHRNA5, P30532 CHRNA6, Q15825 CHRNA7, P36544
Commonly used antagonistsα6/α3β2β3 chimera: DHβE (IC50 = 1.1 μM)(α7)5: DHβE (IC50 = 8 ‐ 20 μM); (α7)5: tubocurarine (IC50 = 3.1 μM)
Functional CharacteristicsPCa/PNa = 6.6‐20, P f = 8.8 ‐ 11.4%
Selective agonists encenicline (Partial agonist) (pK i 8.4) [1, 227], AQW051 ([125I]α‐ bungarotoxin binding assay) (pK i 7.6) 149, 4BP‐TQS (allosteric) [113], A‐582941 ((α7)5) [30], PHA‐543613 ((α7)5) [359], PHA‐709829 ((α7)5) [3], PNU‐282987 ((α7)5) [32], bradanicline ((α7)5) [127]
Selective antagonists α‐conotoxin MII, α‐conotoxin PnIA, α‐conotoxin TxIA, α‐conotoxin‐GIC α‐conotoxin MII (α6β2*), α‐conotoxin MII [H9A, L15A] (α6β2β3), α‐conotoxin PIA (α6/α3β2β3 chimera) α‐bungarotoxin ((α7)5), α‐conotoxin ArIB ((α7)5), α‐conotoxin ImI ((α7)5), methyllycaconitine ((α7)5)
Channel blockers mecamylamine (α6/α3β2β3 chimera) (pIC50 5), hexamethonium (α6/α3β2β3 chimera) (pIC50 4) mecamylamine ((α7)5) (pIC50 4.8)
Allosteric modulators A‐867744 (Positive) [222], LY2087101 (Positive) [37], NS1738 (Positive) [335]
Selective allosteric modulators JNJ1930942 (Positive) [77], PNU‐120596 (Positive) [148]
Labelled ligands [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 10.5) – Chicken, [125I]α‐conotoxin MII (Antagonist) [3H]epibatidine (Agonist) (pK d 12.2), [3H]A‐585539 (Agonist) (pK d 10.1) [8], [3H]AZ11637326 (Agonist) (pK d 9.6) [115], [3H]methyllycaconitine (Antagonist) (pK d 8.7) – Rat, [125I]α‐bungarotoxin (Selective Antagonist) (pK d 9.1–8.3), [3H]α‐bungarotoxin (Selective Antagonist) (pK d 9.1–8.3)
Nomenclature nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α8 subunit (avian) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α9 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α10 subunit
HGNC, UniProt CHRNA9, Q9UGM1 CHRNA10, Q9GZZ6
Commonly used antagonists(α8)5: α‐bungarotoxin>atropinetubocurarinestrychnine (α9)5: α‐bungarotoxin>methyllycaconitine>strychnine   tropisetron >tubocurarine; α9α10: α‐bungarotoxin>tropisetron = strychnine>tubocurarine α9α10: α‐bungarotoxin>tropisetron = strychnine>tubocurarine
Functional Characteristics(α9)5: PCa/PNa = 9; α9α10: PCa/PNa = 9, P f = 22%α9α10: PCa/PNa = 9, P f = 22%
Selective antagonists α‐bungarotoxin ((α9)5), α‐bungarotoxin (α9α10), α‐conotoxin RgIA (α9α10), muscarine ((α9)5), muscarine (α9α10), nicotine (α9α10), nicotine ((α9)5), strychnine ((α9)5), strychnine (α9α10) α‐bungarotoxin (α9α10), α‐conotoxin RgIA (α9α10), muscarine (α9α10), nicotine (α9α10), strychnine (α9α10)
Labelled ligands [3H]epibatidine ((α8)5) (pK d 9.7), [125I]α‐bungarotoxin (native α8*) (pK d 8.3), [3H]α‐bungarotoxin (native α8*) (pK d 8.3) [3H]methyllycaconitine (Antagonist) (pK d 8.1), [125I]α‐bungarotoxin (Antagonist), [3H]α‐bungarotoxin (Antagonist) [3H]methyllycaconitine (Antagonist) (pK d 8.1)
Nomenclature nicotinic acetylcholine receptor β1 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor β2 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor β3 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor β4 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor γ subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor δ subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ε subunit
HGNC, UniProt CHRNB1, P11230 CHRNB2, P17787 CHRNB3, Q05901 CHRNB4, P30926 CHRNG, P07510 CHRND, Q07001 CHRNE, Q04844
CommentsLigand interaction data for hetero‐oligomeric receptors containing the β1 subunit are listed under the α1 subunits
Nomenclature P2X1 P2X2 P2X3 P2X4
HGNC, UniProt P2RX1, P51575 P2RX2, Q9UBL9 P2RX3, P56373 P2RX4, Q99571
Agonists αβ‐meATP, BzATP, L‐βγ‐meATP αβ‐meATP, BzATP
Antagonists TNP‐ATP (pIC50∼8.9) [342], Ip5I (pIC50∼8.5), NF023 (pIC50∼6.7), NF449 (pIC50∼6.3) [174] TNP‐ATP (pIC50∼8.9) [342], AF353 (pIC50∼8) [111], A317491 (pIC50∼7.5) [157], RO3 (pIC50∼7.5) [100]
Selective allosteric modulators MRS 2219 (Positive) [154] ivermectin (Positive) [181] – Rat
Nomenclature P2X5 P2X6 P2X7
HGNC, UniProt P2RX5, Q93086 P2RX6, O15547 P2RX7, Q99572
Antagonists A804598 (pIC50∼8), brilliant blue G (pIC50∼8) [164], A839977 (pIC50∼7.7) [81, 83, 137], A740003 (pIC50 7.4) [138], decavanadate (pA2 = 7.4) (pA 2 7.4) [234], A438079 (pIC50∼6.9) [81]
Selective allosteric modulators chelerythrine (Negative) (pIC50 5.2) [303], AZ11645373 (Negative) [232, 318], KN62 (Negative) [110, 303], ivermectin (Positive) [260]
CommentsEffects of the allosteric regulators at P2X7 receptors are species‐dependent.
Nomenclature RyR1 RyR2 RyR3
HGNC, UniProt RYR1, P21817 RYR2, Q92736 RYR3, Q15413
Functional CharacteristicsCa2+: (P Ca/P K 6) single‐channel conductance:  90 pS (50mM Ca2+), 770 pS (200 mM K+)Ca2+: (P Ca/P K 6) single‐channel conductance:  90 pS (50mM Ca2+), 720 pS (210 mM K+)Ca2+: (P Ca/P K 6) single‐channel conductance:  140 pS (50mM Ca2+), 777 pS (250 mM K+)
Endogenous activatorscytosolic ATP (endogenous; mM range), cytosolic Ca2+ (endogenous; μM range), luminal Ca2+ (endogenous)cytosolic ATP (endogenous; mM range), cytosolic Ca2+ (endogenous; μM range), luminal Ca2+ (endogenous)cytosolic ATP (endogenous; mM range), cytosolic Ca2+ (endogenous; μM range)
Activators caffeine (pharmacological; mM range), ryanodine (pharmacological; nM ‐ μM range), suramin (pharmacological; μM range) caffeine (pharmacological; mM range), ryanodine (pharmacological; nM ‐ μM range), suramin (pharmacological; μM range) caffeine (pharmacological; mM range), ryanodine (pharmacological; nM ‐ μM range)
Endogenous antagonistscytosolic Ca2+ Concentration range: >1 × 10−4M, cytosolic Mg2+ (mM range)cytosolic Ca2+ Concentration range: >1 × 10−3M, cytosolic Mg2+ (mM range)cytosolic Ca2+ Concentration range: >1 × 10−3M, cytosolic Mg2+ (mM range)
Antagonists dantrolene dantrolene
Channel blockers procaine, ruthenium red, ryanodine Concentration range: >1 × 10−4M procaine, ruthenium red, ryanodine Concentration range: >1 × 10−4M ruthenium red
CommentsRyR1 is also activated by depolarisation via DHP receptor, calmodulin at low cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations, CaM kinase and PKA; antagonised by calmodulin at high cytosolic Ca2+ concentrationsRyR2 is also activated by CaM kinase and PKA; antagonised by calmodulin at high cytosolic Ca2+ concentrationsRyR3 is also activated by calmodulin at low cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations; antagonised by calmodulin at high cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations
Nomenclature ZAC
HGNC, UniProt ZACN, Q401N2
Functional CharacteristicsOutwardly rectifying current (both constitutive and evoked by Zn2+)
Endogenous agonists Zn2+ (Selective) (pEC50 3.3) [69]
Selective antagonists tubocurarine (pIC50 5.2) [69]
CommentsAlthough tabulated as an antagonist, it is possible that tubocurarine acts as a channel blocker.
  103 in total

1.  Hippocampal α7 nicotinic ACh receptors contribute to modulation of depression-like behaviour in C57BL/6J mice.

Authors:  Yann S Mineur; Tenna N Mose; Sam Blakeman; Marina R Picciotto
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2017-04-08       Impact factor: 8.739

Review 2.  Microglia antioxidant systems and redox signalling.

Authors:  F Vilhardt; J Haslund-Vinding; V Jaquet; G McBean
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2016-03-03       Impact factor: 8.739

3.  Understanding and improving photo-control of ion channels in nociceptors with azobenzene photo-switches.

Authors:  Alexandre Mourot; Christian Herold; Michael A Kienzler; Richard H Kramer
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2017-07-27       Impact factor: 8.739

4.  Neuroadaptations of presynaptic and postsynaptic GABAB receptor function in the paraventricular nucleus in response to chronic unpredictable stress.

Authors:  Yonggang Gao; Jing-Jing Zhou; Yun Zhu; Li Wang; Therese A Kosten; Xiangjian Zhang; De-Pei Li
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2017-08-01       Impact factor: 8.739

5.  Glycogen phosphorylase inhibition improves beta cell function.

Authors:  Lilla Nagy; Judit Márton; András Vida; Gréta Kis; Éva Bokor; Sándor Kun; Mónika Gönczi; Tibor Docsa; Attila Tóth; Miklós Antal; Pál Gergely; Balázs Csóka; Pal Pacher; László Somsák; Péter Bai
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2017-06-18       Impact factor: 8.739

Review 6.  P2X receptor channels in chronic pain pathways.

Authors:  Louis-Philippe Bernier; Ariel R Ase; Philippe Séguéla
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2017-08-17       Impact factor: 8.739

7.  α9- and α7-containing receptors mediate the pro-proliferative effects of nicotine in the A549 adenocarcinoma cell line.

Authors:  Vanessa Mucchietto; Francesca Fasoli; Susanna Pucci; Milena Moretti; Roberta Benfante; Annalisa Maroli; Simona Di Lascio; Cristiano Bolchi; Marco Pallavicini; Cheryl Dowell; Michael McIntosh; Francesco Clementi; Cecilia Gotti
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2017-09-08       Impact factor: 8.739

8.  Central amygdala relaxin-3/relaxin family peptide receptor 3 signalling modulates alcohol seeking in rats.

Authors:  Leigh C Walker; Hanna E Kastman; Elena V Krstew; Andrew L Gundlach; Andrew J Lawrence
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2017-08-23       Impact factor: 8.739

9.  Role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α3 subtype in vascular inflammation.

Authors:  Cui Yang; Zhengtao Li; Saimei Yan; Yonghui He; Rong Dai; George Pek-Heng Leung; Shitian Pan; Jinyan Yang; Rong Yan; Guanhua Du
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2016-09-29       Impact factor: 8.739

10.  Attenuated nicotine-like effects of varenicline but not other nicotinic ACh receptor agonists in monkeys receiving nicotine daily.

Authors:  Colin S Cunningham; Megan J Moerke; Martin A Javors; F Ivy Carroll; Lance R McMahon
Journal:  Br J Pharmacol       Date:  2016-11-06       Impact factor: 8.739

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