2. Academic Validation
  3. Spider Neurotoxins as Modulators of NMDA Receptor Signaling

Spider Neurotoxins as Modulators of NMDA Receptor Signaling

  • Neuromolecular Med. 2022 Sep;24(3):250-256. doi: 10.1007/s12017-021-08692-w.
Artur Pałasz 1,  Marek Krzystanek 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland. apalasz@sum.edu.pl.
  • 2 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinic of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ziolowa 45/47, 40-635, Katowice, Poland.
PMID: 34562203 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-021-08692-w
Abstract

Molecules that selectively act on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors may have a multidirectional effect by modulating the activity of NMDARs, affecting their active sites as well as by changing the composition of their subunits. The results of the clinical trials conducted so far in mood disorders and schizophrenia indicate that such agents may become new effective drugs for the treatment of these diseases. Number of spider neurotoxins e.g. ctenitoxins extracted from Phoneutria sp. venom act as potent and selective NMDAR blockers that do not disturb cortical and hippocampal glutamate signaling, LTP generation and synaptic neurochemistry. Possibly this intriguing kind of promising neuroregulatory Peptides and polyamines can be clinically applicable in a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, neurotrauma and ischemic injuries. These novel medications can potentially be helpful in the future treatment of stroke and several neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords

Argiotoxin; Ctenitoxin; NMDA; Neurotoxins; Phoneutria.

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