Ryanodine Receptor - Pharmacology

Pharmacology

• Antagonists:
  • Ryanodine locks the RyRs at half-open state at nanomolar concentrations, yet fully closes them at micromolar concentration.
  • Dantrolene the clinically-used antagonist
  • Ruthenium red
  • procaine, tetracaine, etc. (local anesthetics)

• Activators:
  • Agonist: 4-chloro-m-cresol and suramin are direct agonists, i.e., direct activators.
  • Xanthines like caffeine and pentifylline activate it by potentiating sensitivity to native ligand Ca.
    • Physiological agonist: Cyclic ADP-ribose can act as a physiological gating agent. It has been suggested that it may act by making FKBP12.6 (12.6 kilodalton FK506 binding protein, as opposed to 12 kDa FKBP12 which binds to RyR1) which normally bind (and blocks) RyR2 channel tetramer in an average stoichiometry of 3.6, to fall off RyR2 (which is the predominant RyR in pancreatic beta cells, cardiomyocytes and smooth muscles).

A variety of other molecules may interact with and regulate Ryanodine receptor. For example: Dimerized Homer physical tether linking inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3R) and ryanodine receptors on the intracellular calcium stores with cell surface group 1 metabotropic Glutamate Receptors and the alpha 1D adrenergic receptor