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Modulator

Issue No. 18

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GABA(A) Receptor Family

GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its production, release, reuptake and metabolism occur in the …

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Endothelins and Urotensin II

Endothelins (ET-1,2,3) and Urotensin II are peptides that are considered to be very powerful vasoconstrictive substances. In humans, endothelins mediate …

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The KV7 (KCNQ)

The KV7 family of K+ channels is part of the larger voltage-dependent K+ channels superfamily. In a family that comprises …

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Ion Channels and Cancer

During the last few years a pivotal role for ion channels involvement in cancer has emerged. In Modulator #17, we reviewed examples of possible roles and interplay between ion channels and cancer. Recently, a large body of data has accumulated on the participation of K+, Na+, Ca2+, Cl and ligand-gated channels in cancer and apoptosis. To date, there is no broad consensus on the roles ion channels play in cancer. Ion channels are thought to “assist” cancer by affecting a number of pathways, namely, regulation of cell cycle of proliferating cells, perturbation of membrane potential, prevention of apoptosis, adaptation to harsh conditions, altering intracellular Ca2+ balance, and cell shrinkage. Interestingly, there are some examples of the same ion channel participating both in induction of cancer cell proliferation and in

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P2Y Receptor Family

P2Y receptors mediate the actions of the extracellular nucleotides (ATP, ADP, UTP and UDP) and regulate several physiologic responses, among …

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