Symposium overview: chemical modulation of neuroreceptors and channels via intracellular components

Whereas the roles of G proteins and protein kinases in various neuroreceptors and ion channels have been studied extensively, their roles in the actions of drugs and toxicants on these receptors and channels remain to be elucidated. Almost all drugs and toxicants exert multiple actions on multiple target sites, and there is no reason to assume that a chemical modulates a receptor/channel via a single mechanism. In fact, experimental evidence is slowly but steadily being accumulated to indicate that certain drugs and toxicants modulate neuroreceptor/channel functions through interactions with intracellular components such as G proteins and protein kinases. Multiple actions of a toxicant on various receptors/channels may be explained on the basis of its interaction with the G protein/kinase system that is a common denominator of the target sites. This is a virgin field that promises a quantum leap in the coming years. Each presentation and discussion will focus on expected future developments and potential significance in the field of neurotoxicology.