Abstract
Persistent pain, a common clinical condition, could be caused by inflammation, tissue injury secondary to trauma or surgery, and nerve injuries. It is often inadequately controlled by current treatments, such as opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The PDZ (Postsynaptic density 95, Discs large, and Zonula occludens-1) domains are ubiquitous protein interaction modules often found among multi-protein signaling complexes at neuronal synapses. Recent preclinical research shows that targeted disruption of PDZ domain-mediated protein interaction among N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) receptor signaling complexes significantly attenuates the development and maintenance of persistent pain without affecting nociceptive responsiveness to acute pain. PDZ domains at excitatory synapses may be new molecular targets for prevention and treatment of persistent pain. Here, we illustrate expression and distribution of the PDZ domain-containing proteins associated with NMDA receptors in the pain-related regions of the central nervous system, review the evidence for their roles in persistent pain states, and discuss potential mechanisms by which these PDZ domain-containing proteins are involved in persistent pain.
Original language | American English |
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Pages (from-to) | 217-223 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Current Neuropharmacology |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Pharmacology (medical)
Keywords
- AMBA receptors
- Chronic pain
- NMDA receptors
- PSD-93
- PSD-95
- Persistent pain
- Spinal cord
- Trafficking