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

Laboratoire de Biophysicochimie des Récepteurs Canaux, UMR 7199 Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, 74 Route du Rhin - BP 60024, 67401 Illkirch Cedex, France. taly@ibpc.fr

Current drug targets 2012 May

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The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are ligand-gated ion channels involved in cognitive processes and are associated with brain disorders which makes them interesting drug targets. This article presents a general overview of the receptor to introduce the α7 nAChR as a drug target. The advances in understanding of the structure/function properties of the nAChR produced during the last decade are detailed as they are crucial for rational drug design. The allosteric properties of the nAChR will also be described because they also have important consequences for drug design.

Citation

Antoine Taly, Sebastien Charon. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: a therapeutic target in the structure era. Current drug targets. 2012 May;13(5):695-706