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The Glycine Receptor—A Functionally Important Primary Brain Target of Ethanol
Author(s) -
Söderpalm Bo,
Lidö Helga H.,
Ericson Mia
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/acer.13483
Subject(s) - glycine receptor , receptor , acamprosate , glycine , chemistry , pharmacology , nicotinic agonist , ligand gated ion channel , nicotinic acetylcholine receptor , neuroscience , ion channel , biochemistry , medicine , amino acid , biology , antagonist , naltrexone
Identification of ethanol's (EtOH) primary molecular brain targets and determination of their functional role is an ongoing, important quest. Pentameric ligand‐gated ion channels, that is, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, the γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor, the 5‐hydroxytryptamine 3 , and the glycine receptor (GlyR), are such targets. Here, aspects of the structure and function of these receptors and EtOH's interaction with them are briefly reviewed, with special emphasis on the GlyR and the importance of this receptor and its ligands for EtOH pharmacology. It is suggested that GlyRs are involved in (i) the dopamine‐activating effect of EtOH, (ii) regulating EtOH intake, and (iii) the relapse preventing effect of acamprosate. Exploration of the GlyR subtypes involved and efforts to develop subtype specific agonists or antagonists may offer new pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorders.