Sense and specificity: a molecular identity for nociceptors

Curr Opin Neurobiol. 1999 Oct;9(5):525-30. doi: 10.1016/S0959-4388(99)00009-4.

Abstract

Recent cloning efforts have identified families of ligand- or voltage-gated ion channels that are expressed by pain-sensing primary afferent neurons. Pharmacological, electrophysiological and genetic studies are beginning to reveal how these signaling molecules specify roles for subsets of sensory neurons in the pain pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acids / metabolism
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / physiology
  • Animals
  • Electrophysiology
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Nerve Endings / physiology
  • Nociceptors / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Drug / physiology
  • Sodium Channels / physiology

Substances

  • Acids
  • Ion Channels
  • Receptors, Drug
  • Sodium Channels
  • Adenosine Triphosphate