@article{828f947b9d9141c4b4c6447e48716e99,
title = "The nicotinic α6 subunit gene determines variability in chronic pain sensitivity via cross-inhibition of P2X2/3 receptors",
abstract = "Chronic pain is a highly prevalent and poorly managed human health problem. We used microarray-based expression genomics in 25 inbred mouse strains to identify dorsal root ganglion (DRG)-expressed genetic contributors to mechanical allodynia, a prominent symptom of chronic pain. We identified expression levels of Chrna6, which encodes the a6 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), as highly associated with allodynia. We confirmed the importance of α6∗ (α6-containing) nAChRs by analyzing both gain- and loss-of-function mutants. We find that mechanical allodynia associated with neuropathic and inflammatory injuries is significantly altered in a6∗ mutants, and that α6∗ but not α4∗ nicotinic receptors are absolutely required for peripheral and/or spinal nicotine analgesia. Furthermore, we show that Chrna6's role in analgesia is at least partially due to direct interaction and cross-inhibition of α6∗ nAChRs with P2X2/3 receptors in DRG nociceptors. Finally, we establish the relevance of our results to humans by the observation of genetic association in patients suffering from chronic postsurgical and temporomandibular pain.",
keywords = "Animals, Chronic Pain, Down-Regulation, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, Ganglia, Spinal, Humans, Mice, Mice, Mutant Strains, Purinergic P2X Receptor Antagonists, Receptors, Nicotinic, Receptors, Purinergic P2X2, Receptors, Purinergic P2X3",
author = "Wieskopf, {Jeffrey S} and Jayanti Mathur and Walrati Limapichat and Post, {Michael R} and Mona Al-Qazzaz and Sorge, {Robert E} and Martin, {Loren J} and Zaykin, {Dmitri V} and Smith, {Shad B} and Kelen Freitas and Jean-Sebastien Austin and Feng Dai and Jie Zhang and Jaclyn Marcovitz and Tuttle, {Alexander H} and Slepian, {Peter M} and Sarah Clarke and Drenan, {Ryan M} and Jeff Janes and {Al Sharari}, Shakir and Segall, {Samantha K} and Aasvang, {Eske K} and Weike Lai and Reinhard Bittner and Richards, {Christopher I} and Slade, {Gary D} and Henrik Kehlet and John Walker and Uwe Maskos and Jean-Pierre Changeux and Marshall Devor and William Maixner and Luda Diatchenko and Inna Belfer and Dougherty, {Dennis A} and Su, {Andrew I} and Lummis, {Sarah C R} and {Imad Damaj}, M and Lester, {Henry A} and Ardem Patapoutian and Mogil, {Jeffrey S}",
note = "Copyright {\textcopyright} 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.",
year = "2015",
month = may,
day = "13",
doi = "10.1126/scitranslmed.3009986",
language = "English",
volume = "7",
pages = "1--16",
journal = "Science Translational Medicine",
issn = "1946-6234",
publisher = "american association for the advancement of science",
number = "287",
}