Sigma Receptors: Their Role in Disease and as Therapeutic Targets

Download or read book Sigma Receptors: Their Role in Disease and as Therapeutic Targets written by Sylvia B. Smith and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-03-16 with total page 311 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Originally confused with opioid receptors and then orphan receptors with no biological function, Sigma Receptors are now recognized as relevant to many degenerative diseases with remarkable potential as therapeutic targets. In this text, new information about the structure of sigma 1 receptor, its binding sites are provided as well as its expression in many cell types. It’s putative role in degenerative neuronal diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, pain, drug addiction and locomotor activity. Their roles in possible treatments for blinding retinal diseases emphasize the tremendous far-reaching potential for ligands for these receptors. Exciting breakthroughs in this dynamic field in the last decade are reported herein, which will guide future investigators in determining the full potential of this unique, yet abundantly expressed protein.