Nav1.9

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Nav1.9 is a voltage-gated sodium channel that plays a crucial role in the pain pathway of the peripheral nervous system. It is encoded by the gene SCN11A in humans.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Nav1.9 is a transmembrane protein that consists of four homologous domains (I-IV), each containing six transmembrane segments (S1-S6). The S4 segment of each domain acts as the voltage sensor, while the pore-forming loop between S5 and S6 is responsible for sodium ion selectivity and conductance.

Function[edit | edit source]

Nav1.9 channels are predominantly expressed in nociceptive neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and trigeminal ganglia, where they contribute to the resting membrane potential and regulate the excitability of these neurons. They are thought to play a role in the generation and maintenance of chronic pain.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Mutations in the SCN11A gene can lead to a variety of pain disorders. Gain-of-function mutations can cause familial episodic pain syndrome, characterized by episodes of severe pain in different parts of the body. Loss-of-function mutations, on the other hand, can lead to a congenital inability to experience pain.

Research[edit | edit source]

Research on Nav1.9 is ongoing, with a focus on understanding its role in pain perception and exploring its potential as a target for new pain therapies.

File:Nav1.9.png
Nav1.9 channel

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]








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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD