Receptor-gated ion channels may be selective CNS targets for ethanol

Article Abstract:

The effects of ethanol interactions are more intense in GABA(sub A) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-gated ion channels than in voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Moreover, biochemical and electrophysiological experiments have confirmed the selectivity of ethanol interactions at different receptor-channels such as NMDA-glycine interactions. The heterogeneity of receptor-channel complexes affects the sensitivity of ethanol at various sites which upon alteration leads to specific changes in the effects of ethanol. In addition, chronic ethanol treatment of voltage-gated channels results in phosphorylation which causes behavioral changes in the channels.

Author: Gonzales, Rueben A., Hoffman, Paula L.
Physiological aspects, Alcohol, Ethanol, Ion channels, Methyl aspartate, N-methyl-D-aspartate

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GABA(sub B) receptors - the first 7TM heterodimers

Article Abstract:

The finding that GABA (sub B) receptors are heterodimers is discussed. Topics include the cloning of the first GABA (sub B) receptors, GABA (sub B) receptors as heterodimers, agonist activation of the receptor, dimerization of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and the relevance of heterodimers to subtypes of GABA (sub B) receptors.

Author: Jones, Kenneth A., Kaupmann, Klemens, Bettler, Bernhard, Marshall, Fiona H.

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Subjects list: GABA, GABA receptors
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