The application of photoactivatable derivatives for studies of different types of neuroreceptors belonging to two superfamilies, G-protein-dependent receptors and ligand-gated ionic channels, is discussed. Studies of the structure of voltage-gated and ion-gated channels with the use of specific photoactivatable derivatives of neurotoxins are also described. Possibilities and prospects for the application of photoactivatable ligands in studies of the spatial structure of neuroreceptors are reviewed. © 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".