title: Identification of the alpha2-delta-1 subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels as a molecular target for pain mediating the analgesic actions of pregabalin.
abstract: Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition affecting millions of people around the world and is defined as pain that follows a lesion or dysfunction of the nervous system. This type of pain is difficult to treat, but the novel compounds pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin) have proven clinical efficacy. Unlike traditional analgesics such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs or narcotics, these agents have no frank antiinflammatory actions and no effect on physiological pain. Although extensive preclinical studies have led to a number of suggestions, until recently their mechanism of action has not been clearly defined. Here, we describe studies on the analgesic effects of pregabalin in a mutant mouse containing a single-point mutation within the gene encoding a specific auxiliary subunit protein (alpha2-delta-1) of voltage-dependent calcium channels. The mice demonstrate normal pain phenotypes and typical responses to other analgesic drugs. We show that the mutation leads to a significant reduction in the binding affinity of pregabalin in the brain and spinal cord and the loss of its analgesic efficacy. These studies show conclusively that the analgesic actions of pregabalin are mediated through the alpha2-delta-1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels and establish this subunit as a therapeutic target for pain control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain Therapeutics, Discovery Biology, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Sandwich Laboratories, B500 IPC 351, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ, United Kingdom. mark.j.field@pfizer.com
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stott
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Melrose
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Offord
authors.forename: Ti-Zhi
authors.initials: TZ
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bramwell
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corradini
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: England
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winks
authors.forename: Ross A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kinloch
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hendrich
authors.forename: Annette C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Dolphin
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Dic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001345:Autoradiography; D001483:Base Sequence; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000069583:Pregabalin; D011485:Protein Binding; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; C500963:Cacna1b protein, mouse; D015220:Calcium Channels; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type; D021122:Protein Subunits; D005557:Formaldehyde; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D001120:Arginine