Ion channels as targets for drug design

Ion channels are a heterogeneous group of pharmacologic receptors that respond to a variety of informational inputs by controlling in rapid and specific fashion the movements of ions across cell membranes. Under pathologic conditions the disorderly movements of ions may contribute to cell pathology and death. Drugs that regulate ion channel function in both voltage- and ligand-gated categories represent both molecular tools with which to dissect channel function and therapeutic agents for, inter alia, cardiovascular and neuronal disorders. These aspects are well illustrated by the Ca²⁺ channel antagonist class of drugs.