Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv10.1

Title: Prospects for rational development of pharmacological gap junction channel blockers.

Authors: David C Spray, Renato Rozental, Miduturu Srinivas

Journal, date & volume: , 2002 Dec , 3, 455-64

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12448697

Abstract
Connexin-null mice and human genetic gap junction diseases illustrate the important roles that gap junction channels play under normal conditions, and the neuro- and cardioprotective effects of gap junction blocking agents demonstrate that closure of these channels may be beneficial in certain pathological situations. This overview summarizes studies in which gap junction modifying reagents have been characterized, highlighting examples of agents for which selectivity for gap junction subtypes has been demonstrated. In addition, strategies for targeting connexin domains through peptide inhibitors are outlined, which may ultimately provide agents that are not only connexin-selective in their actions, but also affect only a subset of a gap junction channel's gating responses.