Pathobiology of Visceral Pain: Molecular Mechanisms and Theraputic Implications I. Cellular and molecular biology of sodium channel b-subunits: therapeutic implications for pain?

Isom, Lori L. Pathobiology of Visceral Pain: Molecular Mechanisms and Theraputic Implications. I. Cellular and molecular biology of sodium channel b-subunits: therapeutic implications for pain? Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 278: G349–G353, 2000.—Voltage-gated sodium channel a-subunits have been shown to be key mediators of the pathophysiology of pain. The present review considers the role of sodium channel auxiliary b-subunits in channel modulation, channel protein expression levels, and interactions with extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal signaling molecules. Although b-subunits have not yet been directly implicated in pain mechanisms, their intimate association with and ability to regulate a-subunits predicts that they may be a viable target for therapeutic intervention in the future. It is proposed that multifunctional sodium channel b-subunits provide a critical link between extracellular and intracellular signaling molecules and thus have the ability to fine tune channel activity and electrical excitability.