Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
08:30
Preparation of Acute Spinal Cord Slices for Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recording in Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons
Published on: January 18, 2019
15.3K
Spinal Gap Junction Channels in Neuropathic Pain.
Young Hoon Jeon1, Dong Ho Youn2
1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
The Korean Journal of Pain
|October 24, 2015
Summary
Altered spinal gap junction channels contribute to neuropathic pain. Targeting connexin 43 and pannexin 1 shows promise for treating chronic pain after nerve injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic pain state often resulting from nerve damage.
- Growing evidence links spinal cord gap junction channels to neuropathic pain development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of spinal gap junction channels in neuropathic pain.
- To highlight connexin 43 and pannexin 1 as key targets for pain modulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on gap junction channels and neuropathic pain.
- Focus on the expression, coupling, and activity of specific gap junction proteins.
Main Results:
- Regulation of spinal gap junction channels significantly impacts pain signaling.
- Modulating connexin 43 and pannexin 1 expression and activity can attenuate neuropathic pain symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Spinal gap junction channels are critical in mediating neuropathic pain.
- Targeting connexin 43 and pannexin 1 offers potential therapeutic strategies for neuropathic pain patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Gap Junctions
10.7K
The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...
10.7K
01:37Gap Junctions
58.5K
Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...
58.5K
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
8.1K
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
8.1K
01:20Pain
1.8K
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
1.8K
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
9.0K
Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
9.0K
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
4.4K
4.4K