Abstract
Pharmacological agents that block or stimulate ion flux are valuable allies in the investigation and characterization of membrane ionic channels. This is especially the case with muscle calcium (Ca) channels where the availability of three classes of channel-modulating drugs has had an enormous experimental (and clinical) impact. The three structurally-unrelated classes (dihydro-pyridines (DHPs), phenylalkylamines (PAAs), and benzothiazipines (BTZs)) have helped define the physiological significance of Ca channels (e.g. [1,2]) and separate them into two different types (L-type, T-type) in muscle cells [3,4]. Furthermore, they have been invaluable in biochemical studies on channel structure and the function of channel protein subunits [5,6]. The drugs of these three classes (Figure 1) bind with high-affinity to separate allosterically-interacting sites in L-type Ca channels [6–8] (although they may also bind to lower affinity sites (e.g. [9])).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
