Functional modulation of the human voltage-gated sodium channel Na_V1.8 by auxiliary β subunits.

ABSTRACT: The voltage-gated sodium channel Na_v1.8 mediates the tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na⁺ current in nociceptive primary sensory neurons, which has an important role in the transmission of painful stimuli. Here, we describe the functional modulation of the human Na_v1.8 α-subunit in Xenopus oocytes by auxiliary β subunits. We found that the β3 subunit down-regulated the maximal Na⁺ current amplitude and decelerated recovery from inactivation of hNa_v1.8, whereas the β1 and β2 subunits had no such effects. The specific regulation of Na_v1.8 by the β3 subunit constitutes a potential novel regulatory mechanism of the TTX-R Na⁺ current in primary sensory neurons with potential implications in chronic pain states. In

SUBMITTER: Nevin ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7781643 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature