We propose an extension and further development of the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model
for allosteric transitions of regulatory proteins to brain communications and specifically to …

Receptors signal by switching between resting (C) and active (O) shapes ('gating') under the
influence of agonists. The receptor's maximum response depends on the difference in …

How do agonists turn on receptors? The model system we have used to address this
question is the adult-type skeletal muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This ligand-gated …

The lipid dependence of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from the Torpedo electric organ
has long been recognized, and one of the most consistent experimental observations is that …

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are a class of widely prescribed psychotropic drugs that modulate
activity of GABAA receptors (GABAARs), neurotransmitter-gated ion channels critical for …

GABAA receptors are vital for controlling neuronal excitability and can display significant
levels of constitutive activity that contributes to tonic inhibition. However, the mechanisms …

Abstract Motivation Glycine receptors (GlyRs) mediate fast inhibitory neurotransmission in
the brain and have been recognized as key pharmacological targets for pain. A large …

Agonists turn on receptors because they bind more strongly to active (R*) versus resting (R)
conformations of their target sites. Here, to explore how agonists activate neuromuscular …

Agonists turn on receptors because they provide net favorable binding energy to active
versus resting conformations of their target sites. We used simulations to explore …

Although the functional properties of ion channels are most accurately assessed using
electrophysiological approaches, a number of experimental situations call for alternative …