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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Crystal Structure of the N-terminal Domain of Ryanodine Receptor from Plutella xylostella

Crystal Structure of the N-terminal Domain of Ryanodine Receptor from Plutella xylostella

Published on: November 30, 2018

Methylxanthines and ryanodine receptor channels.

Serge Guerreiro¹, Marc Marien, Patrick P Michel

¹Centre de Recherche de l'Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Paris, France.

Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology

|September 23, 2010

Summary

Methylxanthines, like caffeine, activate ryanodine receptors (RyR) through novel mechanisms. This activation impacts muscle excitation coupling and neuronal function, offering new therapeutic insights.

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Functional Characterization of Endogenously Expressed Human RYR1 Variants

Functional Characterization of Endogenously Expressed Human RYR1 Variants

Published on: June 9, 2021

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Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Crystal Structure of the N-terminal Domain of Ryanodine Receptor from Plutella xylostella

Crystal Structure of the N-terminal Domain of Ryanodine Receptor from Plutella xylostella

Published on: November 30, 2018

Functional Characterization of Endogenously Expressed Human RYR1 Variants

Functional Characterization of Endogenously Expressed Human RYR1 Variants

Published on: June 9, 2021

Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Molecular Biology
Neuroscience

Background:

Methylxanthines possess diverse pharmacological properties.
Known mechanisms include adenosine receptor antagonism and phosphodiesterase inhibition.
Emerging evidence suggests methylxanthines also activate ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the mechanisms by which methylxanthines control RyR activation.
To explore the pharmacological consequences of methylxanthine-induced RyR activation in muscle and neuronal cells.

Main Methods:

Literature review and analysis of existing studies on methylxanthine pharmacology.
Focus on studies detailing methylxanthine interaction with RyR channels.

Main Results:

Methylxanthines activate RyR channels via alternative pathways beyond adenosine receptor antagonism.
RyR channel activation by methylxanthines stimulates excitation coupling in muscle cells.
Methylxanthine-mediated RyR activation enhances neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release, promoting neuronal survival.

Conclusions:

Methylxanthines exert significant pharmacological effects through RyR channel activation.
Understanding these mechanisms provides insights into methylxanthine's role in muscle and neuronal function.
This pathway represents a potential target for therapeutic interventions.