Reduced pain sensitivity in mice lacking latexin, an inhibitor of metallocarboxypeptidases.
Latexin, the endogenous protein inhibitor of the A/B subfamily of metallocarboxypeptidases, is expressed in small nociceptive neurons in sensory ganglia and in a subset of neurons in the telencephalon. In this study, we generated latexin-deficient mice that exhibited increased tail-flick latency compared to wild-type animals upon noxious heat stimulation. The reduced pain sensitivity in the mutants was rescued by the systemic administration of a plant carboxypeptidase inhibitor that inhibits the A/B subfamily of metallocarboxypeptidases. These findings suggest that latexin is involved in the transmission of pain.
Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences, Machida, Tokyo 194-8511, Japan.
Minghao
M
Jin
Mami
M
Ishida
Yuko
Y
Katoh-Fukui
Reiko
R
Tsuchiya
Toru
T
Higashinakagawa
Shiro
S
Ikegami
Yasuyoshi
Y
Arimatsu
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D002268:Carboxypeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000172:deficiency; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011930:Reaction Time
D000941:Antigens; C086812:Lxn protein, rat; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D002268:Carboxypeptidases