Canonical Transient Receptor Potential Channels as Novel Targets for Antiepileptic Drugs

Abstract

Canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPC) are a family of calcium-permeable cation channels that have emerged as novel molecular targets for epilepsy and other human diseases in recent years. Cryogenic electron microscopic structures for the majority of TRPC have been resolved and these structures have provided new insights regarding the gating mechanisms of TRPC and aided the developments of small molecule modulators of these channels. Small molecule modulators target several TRPC and show promise as anti-seizure drugs. However, the pharmacokinetics need improvement, and better understanding of native TRPC will facilitate future drug development.