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Ion-channels on parasite muscle: pharmacology and physiology

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Invertebrate Neuroscience

Abstract

Ion-channels are essential components of excitable cells. This fact has been exploited in the development of anthelmintic agents; the majority of which act on nematode ion channels. The purpose of this review is to describe the site of action of some frequently used anthelmintic compounds: nAChRs and levamisole/pyrantel; Glu-Cls and avermectins/mylbemycins; GABA receptors and piperazine. Also described is some of the physiological and pharmacological data on other nematode muscle ion-channels which may prove attractive targets for future anthelmintic development: Ca2+ activated Cl− channels; peptide gated chloride Cl− channels; Ca2+ channels and potassium channels. Emphasis is placed on the pharmacological and physiological data from parasite tissue. Information on the genes involved in ion-channel formation and modulation are reviewed in detail elsewhere in this issue.

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Acknowledgments

APR and RJM are funded by an NIH RO1 grant (AI04719406A1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Alan P. Robertson & Richard J. Martin

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  1. Alan P. Robertson
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  2. Richard J. Martin
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Correspondence to Alan P. Robertson.

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Robertson, A.P., Martin, R.J. Ion-channels on parasite muscle: pharmacology and physiology. Invert Neurosci 7, 209–217 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10158-007-0059-x

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