Neuroreceptors alkaloids with

A number of assays were established in our laboratory to determine the interaction of alkaloids with DNA and related enzymes, with biomembranes, protein biosynthesis, and neuroreceptors. These assays were all optimized and standardized in terms of linearity, reproducibility, sensitivity and specificity.19,35,57... 

Wink, M. 2000. Interference of alkaloids with neuroreceptors and ion channels. In Atta-Ur-Rahman (Ed.). Bioactive Natural Products. Vol 11. Elsevier, pp. 3-129... 

Neuronal signal transduction is briefly summarized in a simplified version in the following for the reader not being a specialist in neurobiology or neuropharmacology, since a basic knowledge is essential to understand the complex interactions of alkaloids with neuroreceptors, ion channels and signal transduction. Citations in this part of the review have been kept at a minimum and the reader should consult overviews in [17, 38, 42-56] for more details. 

Table 15. Interaction of Alkaloids with Neuroreceptors and Acetylcholine Related Enzymes (after (68)...

The articles contained in this volume include the interaction of alkaloids with neuroreceptors and ion channels, anthracyclines suited for antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy and metabolites from soilborne fungi. Several articles are concerned with bioactive natural products from marine sources. The other areas covered include natural products with polyene amide structures, potential hypoglycemic agents, biological activity of essential oils, bioactive saponins and biologically active diterpenoids. 

Wink, M. and Schmeller, T., and Latz-Bruning, B. 1998. Modes of action of allelochemical alkaloids interaction with neuroreceptors, DNA and other molecular targets. J. Chem. Ecol. 24, 1881-1937... 

Schmeller, T., El-Shazly, A. and Wink, M. (1997) Allelochemical activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids interactions with neuroreceptors and acetylcholine-related enzymes. /. Chem. Ecol., 23, 399-416. 

In this review, I have tried to summarize and discuss the modes of action of a selection of alkaloids. Emphasis was laid on interactions with major neuroreceptors, such as cholinergic, adrenergic, serotonergic,... 

Alkaloids have evolved in plants as powerful defence compounds against herbivores. Although many of them interfere with neuroreceptors and neuronal signal transduction, several others have cytotoxic properties, directed against animal and microbial cells. The present review has tried to summarize some of the molecular targets that are involved in this process. Alkaloids that interfere with microtubules, with DNA (intercalation, topoisomerase inhibition), with protein biosynthesis, and with membrane stability, apparently induce apoptosis, thus leading to cell death. It is very likely however, that many more targets exist that have not been detected, or are not yet correctly understood in this context. 

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