ENDOZEPINES - ENDOGENOUS LIGANDS FOR BENZ ODIAZEPINE RECEPTORS

Because of their anxiolytic, sedative and myo-relaxant properties, ben zodiazepines are among the most commonly used drugs in clinical practi ce. The actions of benzodiazepines are mediated by two classes of rece ptors i.e. receptors associated with the GABA(A-) chloride channel com plex also named central-type benzodiazepine receptors and receptors lo calized in the mitochondrial membrane called peripheral-type benzodiaz epine receptors. The existence of binding sites for benzodiazepines ha s suggested the existence of endogenous ligands capable of interacting with either central or peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors. This hypothesis has led to the dicovery of a family of regulatory peptides named endozepines which displace diazepam from its neuronal binding s ites and exert a wide range of biological activities.