The Role of Sigma Receptors and Their Implication in Modern Therapy
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2019) | Viewed by 285
Special Issue Editors
Interests: sigma-1 receptor; sigma-2 receptor; opioid; chemical synthesis; drug discovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: medicinal chemistry; cancer; databases; QSAR; chemical synthesis; radioligand binding assay; sigma receptor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Sigma (σ) receptors are classified into two subtypes, sigma-1 (σ1) and sigma-2 (σ2), with a peculiar structure and biological functions. The σ1 receptor has been classified as a protein chaperone at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–mitochondrion interface that regulates Ca2+ signaling and cell survival. Among their functions, the σ1 receptor modulates ion channel activity and ER stress, thus having an important role in neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, σ1 antagonists have proven their ability to relieve neuropathic and inflammatory pain and to have antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects. Recently, the σ2 receptor was purified, revealing its identity as the transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97). The σ2 receptors showed their involvement in cell proliferation with an overexpression in several cancer types, so they have been proposed as biomarkers for tumoral proliferation. Different σ2 receptor ligands with antiproliferative properties have been proposed as promising anticancer compounds. Although no σ receptors ligands have been yet marketed as drugs, there are ongoing clinical trials aimed at their evaluation.
The aim of this Special Issue on “Sigma Receptors” is to provide an overview of the field, describe its impact, as well as new recent advances in understanding the mechanisms that underpin σ1 and σ2 receptor molecular biology in the physiological and pathological conditions.
Prof. Dr. Agostino Marrazzo
Dr. Emanuele Amata
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- Sigma-1
- Sigma-2
- Neurodegenerative
- Cardiovascular
- Neuropathic
- Pain
- Cancer
- Addiction
- Agonists
- Antagonists
