Potassium Channels as Novel Therapeutic Targets
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 August 2024) | Viewed by 15735
Special Issue Editors
Interests: inward rectifying potassium channels; hERG channel; molecular dynamics simulations
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We would like to promote the upcoming Special Issue of Pharmaceuticals titled “Potassium Channels as Novel Therapeutic Targets”. K+ channels constitute the largest and most diverse family of ion channels, with almost 80 different genes encoding the principal pore-forming subunits. They are found in nearly all cell types, and play a critical role in diverse physiological functions such as the repolarization of neuronal and cardiac action potentials, maintaining vascular tone, and the regulation of the secretion of hormones. Recent progress in structural biology, molecular pharmacology, and electrophysiology/in vivo experiments led to a good understanding of the physiological role of many K+ channel members and their therapeutic potential. Pharmacological strategies for targeting these channels include venom peptides, antibodies, and small molecules. Modulation can occur in the form of blockers that inhibit the channels or in the form of openers that activate these channels. With their often tissue-defined distribution, they offer tremendous opportunities for the development of new drugs to treat, for example, cardiovascular disorders, neurological diseases, cancer, as well as autoimmune and metabolic diseases. Still, few selective K+ channel activators or inhibitors are currently licensed for clinical use. Challenges in the field of ion channel modulation include a lack of selectivity of the drugs for the target channel, due to the close relatedness of subfamily members. A special case constitutes the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channel, which is responsible for many adverse drug actions and remains a major impediment for drug development.
In this Special Issue, we aim to bring together research from experts in the field that highlight therapeutic agents and strategies, and which identify future directions that will lead to novel discoveries and therapies for K+-channel-associated diseases.
Dr. Eva-Maria Zangerl-Plessl
Dr. Anna Stary-Weinzinger
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- potassium channels
- drug modulation
- channelopathy
- drug development
- cardiac
- neuronal
- vascular
- activators
- inhibitors
- off-target pharmacology
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