Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Channel blocker

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

A channel blocker (CB) or ion channel blocker (ICB) is a type of drug which binds inside the pore of a specific type of ion channel and blocks the flow of ions through it, resulting in an alteration of the electrochemical gradient of the cell membrane of neurons and therefore a change in neurotransmission.

Types

There are several different major classes of channel blockers, including:

  • Calcium (Ca2+) channel blockers
  • Chloride (Cl−) channel blockers
  • Potassium (K+) channel blockers
  • Sodium (Na+) channel blockers

    • The following types which act on ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) via binding to their pore also exist:

  • 5-HT3 receptor antagonists
  • AMPA receptor antagonists
  • GABAA receptor antagonists
  • Glycine receptor antagonists
  • Kainate receptor antagonists
  • nACh receptor antagonists
  • NMDA receptor antagonists
  • P2X receptor antagonists
  • Zinc (Zn2+)-activated channel antagonists

    • These types of receptor antagonists are referred to as noncompetitive or uncompetitive.

    References

    Channel blocker Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA