Main description:

This book provides an update on sigma receptors, and summarizes recent advances in the medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology of sigma receptors. It describes the functional effects mediated by these receptors and the potential clinical implications of these actions. The information is put in a historical perspective. This provides a launching point from which future studies and research directions can easily be developed.

Contents:

Contributing Authors.- Preface.- s Receptors: Historical Perspective and Background.- Medicinal Chemistry: New Chemical Classes and Subtype Selective Ligands.- Irreversible s Compounds.- Pharmacophore Models for s1 Receptor Binding.- Cloning of s1 Receptor and Structural Analysis of its Gene and Promoter Region.- Site-Directed Mutagenesis.- s Receptor Modulation of Ion Channels.- Subcellular Localization and Intracellular Dynamics of s1 Receptors.- Intracellular Signaling and Synaptic Plasticity.- Modulation of Classical Neurotransmitter Systems by s Receptors.- s2 Receptors: Regulation of Cell Growth and Implications for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapeutics.- Cognitive Effects of s Receptor Ligands.- s Receptors and Schizophrenia.- Potential Role of s1 Ligands and Neurosteroids in Major Depression.- s Receptors and Drug Abuse.- s1 Receptors and Modulation of Opiate Analgesics.- s Receptors in the Immune System: Implications for Potential Therapeutic Intervention - an Overview.- s Receptors and Gastrointestinal Function.- Appendix.