Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

The majority of ion channels fall into two broad categories: voltage-gated ion channels (VGIC) and ligand-gated ion channels (LGIC). The LGIC superfamily of receptors contains an intrinsic ion channel, which undergoes a conformational change following the binding of an extracellular ligand to its site on the channel.¹ This conformational change allows for the opening of the ion pore, although the channel may open and close several times while the ligand is attached.² This gating will cease when the ligand disassociates from the binding site. The LGIC group includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), the γ-aminobutyric acid receptors GABA_A and GABA_C, the glycine receptor (GlyR), ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluR) and the P2X receptors.

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GABA and Glycine Receptors
     Antibodies to GABA and Glycine Receptors
     GABA and Glycine Receptor Modulators

Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors
     Antibodies to Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors
     Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Modulators

Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
     Antibodies to Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
     Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Modulators

P2X Receptors
     Antibodies to P2X Receptors
     P2X Receptor Modulators

Reference

1. Barnard, E. Trends Biochem. Sci., 1992, 17, 368–374.
2. Ashcroft, F. M., Ed. Ion Channels and Disease; Academic Press: San Diego, CA, 2000.

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