Pharmacology of voltage-gated and calcium-activated potassium channels

Several important new findings have furthered the development of voltage-ga ted and calcium-activated potassium channel pharmacology. The molecular con stituents of several members of these large ion channel families were ident ified. Small-molecule modulators of some of these channels were reported, i ncluding correolide, the first potent, small-molecule, natural product inhi bitor of the Shaker family of voltage-gated potassium channels to be disclo sed. The initial crystal structure of a bacterial potassium channel was det ermined; this work gives a physical basis for understanding the mechanisms of ion selectivity and ion conduction. With the recent molecular characteri zation of a potassium channel structure and the discovery of new templates for channel modulatory agents, the ability to rationally identify and devel op potassium channel agonists and antagonists may become a reality in the n ear future.