Biology subjects

Wood, J. N.

Publications and source records attributed to Wood, J. N..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Analgesia linked to Nav1.7 loss of function requires mu and delta opioid receptors

Functional deletion of the SCN9A gene encoding sodium channel Nav1.7 makes humans and mice pain-free (1,2). Opioid signaling contributes to this analgesic state (3). Here we show that the pharmacological block or deletion of both and {delta} opioid receptors is required to abolish Nav1.7 null opioid-related analgesia.{kappa}-opioid receptor antagonists were without effect. Enkephalins encoded by the Penk gene are upregulated in Nav1.7 nulls (3). Deleting Nfat5, a transcription factor with binding motifs upstream of Penk (4), induces the same level of enkephalin mRNA expression as found in Nav1.7 nulls, but without consequent analgesia. These data confirm that a combination of events linked to SCN9A gene loss is required for analgesia. Higher levels of endogenous enkephalins (3), potentiated opioid receptors (5), diminished electrical excitability (6,7) and loss of neurotransmitter release (2,1) together contribute to the analgesic phenotype found in Nav1.7 null mouse and human mutants. These observations help explain the failure of Nav1.7 channel blockers alone to produce analgesia and suggest new routes for analgesic drug development.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2018

PGP-UK: a research and citizen science hybrid project in support of personalized medicine

Molecular analyses such as whole-genome sequencing have become routine and are expected to be transformational for future healthcare and lifestyle decisions. Population-wide implementation of such analyses is, however, not without challenges, and multiple studies are ongoing to identify what these are and explore how they can be addressed. Defined as a research project, the Personal Genome Project UK (PGP-UK) is part of the global PGP network and focuses on open data sharing and citizen science to advance and accelerate personalized genomics and medicine. Here we report our findings on using an open consent recruitment protocol, active participant involvement, open access release of personal genome, methylome and transcriptome data and associated analyses, including 47 new variants predicted to affect gene function and innovative reports based on the analysis of genetic and epigenetic variants. For this pilot study, we recruited ten participants willing to actively engage as citizen scientists with the project. In addition, we introduce Genome Donation as a novel mechanism for openly sharing previously restricted data and discuss the first three donations received. Lastly, we present GenoME, a free, open-source educational app suitable for the lay public to allow exploration of personal genomes. Our findings demonstrate that citizen science-based approaches like PGP-UK have an important role to play in the public awareness, acceptance and implementation of genomics and personalized medicine.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2017

Regulation of somatosensory mechanotransduction by Annexin A6

Sensory neuron mechanically-activated slowly adapting currents have been linked to noxious mechanosensation. We identified a Conotoxin, Noxious Mechanosensation Blocker -1, that blocks such currents selectively and inhibits mechanical pain Using an active biotinylated form of the toxin we identified 67 binding proteins in sensory neurons and sensory neuron-derived cell lines using mass spectrometry. Annexin A6 was the most frequently identified binding protein. Annexin A6 knockout mice showed an enhanced sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. An increase in rapidly adapting currents was observed in sensory neurons alongside a decrease in slowly adapting currents. Conversely, overexpression of Annexin A6 in sensory neurons inhibited rapidly adapting currents and augmented slowly adapting currents. Furthermore, co-expression of Annexin A6 with Piezo2 led to an inhibition of Piezo-mediated rapidly adapting currents. AAV-mediated overexpression of Annexin A6 in sensory neurons attenuated mechanical pain in a mouse model of osteoarthritis. These data demonstrate a modulatory role for Annexin A6 in somatosensory mechanotransduction.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2017

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor derived from peripheral sensory neurons plays a critical role in pain chronification

Multiple studies support the pro-nociceptive role of brain-derived neurotrophin factor (BDNF) in pain processes in the peripheral and central nervous system. We have previously shown that nociceptor-derived BDNF is implicated in inflammatory pain. Microglial-derived BDNF has also been shown to be involved in neuropathic pain. However, the distinct contribution of primary afferent-derived BNDF to chronic pain processing remains undetermined. In this study, we used Advillin-CreERT2 mice to delete Bdnf from all adult peripheral sensory neurons. Conditional BDNF knockouts were healthy with no sensory neuron loss. Behavioural assays and in vivo electrophysiology indicated that spinal excitability was normal. Following formalin inflammation or neuropathy with a modified Chung model, we observed normal development of acute pain behaviour, but a deficit in second phase formalin-induced nocifensive responses and a reversal of neuropathy-induced mechanical hypersensitivity during the later chronic pain phase in conditional BDNF knockout mice. In contrast, we observed normal development of acute and chronic neuropathic pain in the Seltzer model, indicating differences in the contribution of BDNF to distinct models of neuropathy. We further used a model of hyperalgesic priming to examine the contribution of primary afferent-derived BDNF in the transition from acute to chronic pain, and found that primed BDNF knockout mice do not develop prolonged mechanical hypersensitivity. Our data suggest that BDNF derived from sensory neurons plays a critical role in mediating the transition from acute to chronic pain.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2017

Mapping protein interactions of sodium channel NaV1.7 using epitope-tagged gene targeted mice

The voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 plays a critical role in pain pathways. Besides action potential propagation, NaV1.7 regulates neurotransmitter release, integrates depolarizing inputs over long periods and regulates transcription. In order to better understand these functions, we generated an epitope-tagged NaV1.7 mouse that showed normal pain behavior. Analysis of NaV1.7 complexes affinity-purified under native conditions by mass spectrometry revealed 267 NaV1.7 associated proteins including known interactors, such as the sodium channel {beta}3 subunit (Scn3b) and collapsin response mediator protein (Crmp2), and novel interactors. Selected novel NaV1.7 protein interactors membrane-trafficking protein synapototagmin-2 (Syt2), G protein-regulated inducer of neurite outgrowth 1 (Gprin1), L-type amino acid transporter 1 (Lat1) and transmembrane P24 trafficking protein 10 (Tmed10) together with Scn3b and Crmp2 were validated using co-immunoprecipitation and functional assays. The information provided with this physiologically normal epitope-tagged mouse should provide useful insights into the pain mechanisms associated with NaV1.7 channel function.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2017

Intracellular Sodium Regulates Opioid Signalling in Peripheral Sensory Neurons

Opioid receptors signal more effectively in sensory neurons from pain-free mice lacking the voltagegated sodium channel Nav1.7. Type-A GPCRs are known to be regulated through a specific sodium binding site, the occupancy of which diminishes agonist binding. We have used an electrophysiological assay of Protein Kinase A activity to examine the role of intracellular sodium on opioid signalling. Phosphorylation of sodium channel Nav1.8 by activation of Protein Kinase A with db-cAMP is unaffected by altered intracellular sodium. By contrast, there is a dose-dependent inhibition of fentanyl action on Nav1.8 currents when intracellular sodium is increased from 0 mM to 20 mM. Fentanyl shows a 50% loss of activity and 80-fold increase in EC50 with 20 mM intracellular sodium. These data demonstrate that altered intracellular sodium levels modulate opioid receptor signalling.

neuroscience↗