Kinesins: Motor Proteins as Novel Target for the Treatment of Chronic Pain

P. A. Shantanu, Dilip Sharma, Monika Sharma, Shivani Vaidya, Kuhu Sharma, Kiran Kalia, Yuan Xiang Tao, Amit Shard, Vinod Tiwari

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Kinesins are one of the neoteric and efficacious targets recently reported to play an important role in the initiation and progression of chronic pain. Kinesins are anterograde microtubule-based motor proteins that are involved in trafficking of receptors including nociceptors and progression of pain. The specific kinesin and regulatory proteins interplay is crucial for the delivery of nociceptors to the synapse. If this complex and less understood interplay is inhibited, it may result in a decrease in central sensitization, and thus attenuation of pain. This review is focused on the transportation process of receptors/cargos, the role of regulatory proteins influencing the respective kinesin, and their relationship with chronic pain. The review also features specific strategies adopted by researchers for targeting kinesin and chronic pain. Considering the recent preclinical success of kinesin inhibition in pain, it is expected that inhibitors for kinesin or enzymes responsible for kinesin activation could be developed or repurposed as alternative, safe, and potential therapies for the treatment of chronic pain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3854-3864
Number of pages11
JournalMolecular Neurobiology
Volume56
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Keywords

  • Bone cancer pain
  • Calcium calmodulin kinase 2
  • Cyclin-dependent kinesins
  • KIF13B
  • KIF17
  • NMDA, pain
  • Sodium channels
  • TRPV1

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