Patent Document ID: 7947466
Application ID: 10938370
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A method for identifying an agent that selectively binds to a naturally occurring pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (LGIC), comprising: a) providing a mixture comprised of a non-membrane bound soluble LGIC that fluoresces with a test agent, the soluble LGIC having a conformation that provides a binding site that selectively binds a ligand that modulates the naturally occurring pentameric LGIC; b) contacting the test agent with the soluble LGIC; and c) detecting a change in fluorescence in the mixture, as compared to the absence of the test agent, wherein the change in fluorescence is indicative of selective binding of the test agent to the binding site of the soluble LGIC, thereby identifying the test agent as an agent that selectively binds to the naturally occurring pentameric LGIC.