July 2018 News, Updates and Hot Topics Database release 2018.3: Our third database release of the year, 2018.3, is now available. This update contains the following new features and content changes: Updates across several target classes. The existing Antimalarial targets…
Blog Archives
Hot topic: Direct activation of neuronal KV7 channels by GABA and gabapentin – a novel mechanism for reducing neuronal excitability
The potassium channels KV7.2-KV7.5 (KCNQ2-5; GtoPdb target IDs 561-564) regulate neuronal excitability in the mammalian nervous system. The best characterised neuronal KV7 channels give rise to the M current (1) and are mediated predominantly by hetero-tetramers of KV7.2 and KV7.3…
Posted in Hot Topics
Hot topic: New pharmacological tools reiterate lack of direct connection between Angiotensin 1–7 and the MAS1 GPCR
A new type of deorphanization conundrum confronted in pairing the GPCR, MAS1 with the hormonal peptide angiotensin 1–7 (Ang1-7) was emphasised in recent IUPHAR reviews (1, 2). More evidence for disconnection between Ang1-7 and MAS1 is presented in the recent…
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Hot Topic: Structural details for coupling of the agonist-occupied µ opioid receptor (amongst others) to the Gi protein
Every few years in the field of receptor pharmacology, a technological advance occurs that drives the field forward in terms of insight and understanding. Over the past couple of years, the cryo-EM technique (the development of which won the 2017…
Hot Topic: Systems Medicine, Disease Maps and the future of Systems Biology
What will Systems Biology look like in the future? Up to now, it has focussed on the development of standards, software tools and databases that enabled us to study the dynamics of physiological function mechanistically. However as these tools and…
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Hot topic: Structure of the adenosine-bound human adenosine A1 receptor–Gi complex
The A1 adenosine receptor is, for most people, a molecular target they can become conscious of when they block it, which happens frequently. Rapid consumption of higher doses of caffeine, in products like Italian espresso or Turkish coffee, provokes a…
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Commentary on the distinction between Cannabis and cannabinoids
The Cannabis plant is a natural product from which more than 100 apparently unique metabolites (cannabinoids) have been identified. Many of these have been found in human plasma following consumption of Cannabis preparations. The most well-recognised is tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, because…
Posted in Hot Topics, Uncategorized
