Potentiation of Glycine Receptor Channels by General Anesthetics |
James P. Dilger, PhD |
|
||
A recent project from the Dilger Lab examined how different muscle relaxants bind to each of the two distinct ligand binding sites on the muscle acetylcholine receptor. Most benzylisoquinolines, such as (+)-tubocurarine have higher affinity for the site at the α-ε subunit interface while most aminosteroids, such as pancuronium, have higher affinity for the site at the α-δ subunit interface. The cartoon illustrates the binding of curare (left) and pancuronium (right) to different interfacial binding sites on the adult muscle acetylcholine receptor. This may be part of the reason that some combinations of muscle relaxants are synergistic. (Liu & Dilger, Anesth Analg. 2008 Aug;107(2):525) |
|
|
|