Expression of tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channels in capsaicin-sensitive dorsal root ganglion neurons of adult rats.
We have used conventional whole-cell electrophysiological recording techniques to measure the level of expression of tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) and tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) sodium currents in the capsaicin-sensitive and capsaicin-insensitive subpopulations of dorsal root ganglion neurons. We find that there are significantly higher levels of TTX-R expressed in the capsaicin-sensitive group but no difference in the levels of TTX-S. Since capsaicin is a selective stimulant of polymodal nociceptors, these data raise the possibility that TTX-R sodium channels may be an important determinant of nociceptor phenotype.
Arbuckle
J B
JB
Sandoz Institute for Medical Research, London, UK.
Docherty
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D007473:Ion Channels; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology
D007473:Ion Channels; D015222:Sodium Channels; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D002211:Capsaicin