title: NaV1.9: a sodium channel linked to human pain.
abstract: The voltage-gated sodium channel Na(V)1.9 is preferentially expressed in nociceptors and has been shown in rodent models to have a major role in inflammatory and neuropathic pain. These studies suggest that by selectively targeting Na(V)1.9, it might be possible to ameliorate pain without inducing adverse CNS side effects such as sedation, confusion and addictive potential. Three recent studies in humans--two genetic and functional studies in rare genetic disorders, and a third study showing a role for Na(V)1.9 in painful peripheral neuropathy--have demonstrated that Na(V)1.9 plays an important part both in regulating sensory neuron excitability and in pain signalling. With this human validation, attention is turning to this channel as a potential therapeutic target for pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and the Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA; and the Rehabilitation Research Center at the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA.
authors.forename: Sulayman D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Dib-Hajj
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and the Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA; and the Rehabilitation Research Center at the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA.
authors.forename: Joel A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and the Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA; and the Rehabilitation Research Center at the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Waxman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology; D062558:NAV1.9 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D062558:NAV1.9 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; C491886:SCN11A protein, human; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers