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Protein responsible for the detection of extreme heat and pain discovered

Date:
May 14, 2011
Source:
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Summary:
The protein responsible for the detection of extreme heat and pain resulting from infections has been identified. The protein is a promising target for the development of new analgesic medications.
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The protein responsible for the detection of extreme heat and pain resulting from infections has been identified by a team of K.U.Leuven researchers led by Professor Thomas Voets. The protein is a promising target for the development of new analgesic medications.

A rapid pain response to extreme temperatures is of vital importance to prevent being burned by touching a hot object or accidentally swallowing scolding soup, for example. Sensory nerves throughout the body -- including in our skin and mucous membranes -- detect temperature. In people who suffer from certain conditions, such as infections or nerve damage, these nerves become extra sensitive. This sometimes results in oversensitivity to innocuous temperatures and chronic pain.

There are ion channels in the cell wall around these nerves -- microscopic sluices that react to certain stimuli and then send electrical signals to the brain. Approximately ten years ago, American researchers discovered the capsaicin receptor: an ion channel that is responsible for the detection of heat and of "hot" chemical substances. Capsaicin is the substance that gives red peppers their spicy taste. Research demonstrated, however, that the capsaicin receptor is not responsible for all heat detection and that there must be other molecular detectors for extreme heat.

Research conducted by Doctor Joris Vriens, in collaboration with colleagues at the Leuven Laboratory for Ion Channel Research and German researchers, has demonstrated that the ion channel TRPM3 is also a molecular sensor for heat and for the hormone pregnenolone sulfate -- a precursor to the gender hormones oestrogen or testosterone. Mice with a defective TRPM3 gene appear to feel far less pain when exposed to heat or the steroid hormone. Moreover, these mice do not develop oversensitivity to heat when they have infections. These new discoveries make TRPM3 a promising target for the development of new analgesic medications.


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Materials provided by Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Joris Vriens, Grzegorz Owsianik, Thomas Hofmann, Stephan E. Philipp, Julia Stab, Xiaodi Chen, Melissa Benoit, Fenqin Xue, Annelies Janssens, Sara Kerselaers, Johannes Oberwinkler, Rudi Vennekens, Thomas Gudermann, Bernd Nilius, Thomas Voets. TRPM3 Is a Nociceptor Channel Involved in the Detection of Noxious Heat. Neuron, Volume 70, Issue 3, 482-494, 12 May 2011 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.02.051

Cite This Page:

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. "Protein responsible for the detection of extreme heat and pain discovered." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 May 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110513064107.htm>.
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. (2011, May 14). Protein responsible for the detection of extreme heat and pain discovered. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110513064107.htm
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. "Protein responsible for the detection of extreme heat and pain discovered." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110513064107.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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