Ion Channels as Targets in Drug Discovery

This book is built around ion channel research and, more specifically, ion channels as important therapeutic drug targets. Under the editorial leadership of Gary Stephens in academic research and Edward Stevens from industry, the aim is to bring these strands together to provide a cutting-edge translational reference on ion channel drug discovery.  Exploiting our knowledge of ion channel structure and function has clear current and future potential to intervene and correct the pathophysiology associated with debilitating conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, pain, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders. Individual chapters have a disease focus, also providing a “case study story” that will also appeal to a clinical audience, while background information on a given ion channel is presented to provide a solid reference for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Ion Channels as Targets in Drug Discovery: outlook and perspectives.- Conservation of ligand binding between voltage-gated sodium and T-type calcium channels.- The presynaptic a2d protein family and their therapeutic potential.- Sodium channel in central hyperexcitability disease.- Therapeutic targeting of voltage-gated potassium channels.- The contribution of genetic sequencing information to the identification and functional characterisation of two pore domain (K2P) channels as viable therapeutic targets.- The voltage-gated potassium channel KV2.1 as a multicellular drug target.- Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-targeted therapeutics for cystic fibrosis.- Validation of TMEM16A modulation as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of cystic fibrosis – the discovery of novel TMEM16A potentiators.- Targeting acid-sensing ion channels in disease.- Transient Receptor Potential Canonical (TRPC) as a Therapeutic Drug Target.- Nicotinic receptors of the neuronal and non-neuronal cholinergic systems as therapeutic targets: Opportunities and limitations.- Purinergic P2X receptors as therapeutic targets.- Immune Cell Ion Channels as Therapeutic Targets.- Ion channel tools and therapeutics from venoms and toxins.