More than 20 years after the identification of the sigma receptors as a unique binding site in the brain and in the peripheral organs, several questions regarding this receptor are still open. Only one of the subtypes of the receptor has been cloned to date, but the endogenous ligand still remains unknown, and the possible association of the receptor with a conventional second messenger system is controversial. From the very beginning, the sigma receptors were associated with various central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia or movement disorders. Today, after hundreds of papers dealing with the importance of sigma receptors in brain function, it is widely accepted that sigma receptors represent a new and different avenue in the possible pharmacological treatment of several brain-related disorders. In this review, what is known about the biology of the sigma receptor regarding its putative structure and its distribution in the central nervous system is summarized first. The role of sigma receptors regulating cellular functions and other neurotransmitter systems is also addressed, as well as a short overview of the possible endogenous ligands. Finally, although no specific sigma ligand has reached the market, different pharmacological approaches to the alleviation and treatment of several central nervous system disorders and deficits, including schizophrenia, pain, memory deficits, etc., are discussed, with an overview of different compounds and their potential therapeutic use.

These findings contribute to evidence identifying the σ(1) receptor as a modulator of activity-induced spinal sensitization and pain hypersensitivity, and suggest σ(1) receptor antagonists as potential novel treatments for neuropathic pain.

Sigma (sigma) sites are a type of nonopiate receptor whose role has been associated with several behaviours, including anxiety, depression, analgesia, learning processes and psychosis. Although there are several known sigma receptor types, only the type I receptor (sigma 1) has been cloned. To uncover the in vivo relevance of sigma-receptors, we have generated knockout mice for sigma 1. Despite the broad expression pattern found for the sigma 1-gene, homozygous mutant mice are viable, fertile and do not display any overt phenotype, compared with their wild-type litter-mates, in mixed genetic backgrounds. However, a significant decrease in the hypermotility response has been measured in knockout mice upon challenge with (+)SKF-10 047, in agreement with the involvement of sigma 1-receptors in the induction of psychostimulant actions. The activity of sigma 2-receptors seems to be unaffected in sigma 1-mutant mice. These knockout mice could contribute to better understand the in vivo role of sigma-receptors.

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The involvement of the 5-HT(7) receptor in nociception and pain, particularly chronic pain (i.e., neuropathic pain), has been poorly investigated. In the present study, we examined whether the 5-HT(7) receptor participates in some modulatory control of nerve injury-evoked mechanical hypersensitivity and thermal (heat) hyperalgesia in mice. Activation of 5-HT(7) receptors by systemic administration of the selective 5-HT(7) receptor agonist AS-19 (1 and 10mg/kg) exerted a clear-cut reduction of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivities that were reversed by co-administering the selective 5-HT(7) receptor antagonist SB-258719. Interestingly, blocking of 5-HT(7) receptors with SB-258719 (2.5 and 10mg/kg) enhanced mechanical (but not thermal) hypersensitivity in nerve-injured mice and induced mechanical hypersensitivity in sham-operated mice. Effectiveness of the treatment with a 5-HT(7) receptor agonist was maintained after repeated systemic administration: no tolerance to the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects was developed following treatment with the selective 5-HT(7) receptor agonist E-57431 (10mg/kg) twice daily for 11 days. The 5-HT(7) receptor co-localized with GABAergic cells in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, suggesting that the activation of spinal inhibitory GABAergic interneurons could contribute to the analgesic effects of 5-HT(7) receptor agonists. In addition, a significant increase of 5-HT(7) receptors was found by immunohistochemistry in the ipsilateral dorsal horn of the spinal cord after nerve injury, suggesting a "pain"-triggered regulation of receptor expression. These results support the idea that the 5-HT(7) receptor subtype is involved in the control of pain and point to a new potential use of 5-HT(7) receptor agonists for the treatment of neuropathic pain.