Magi-1 Scaffolds Na1.8 and Slack K Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Regulating Excitability and Pain

Voltage-dependent sodium (Na) 1.8 channels regulate action potential generation in nociceptive neurons, identifying them as putative analgesic targets. Here, we show that Na1.8 channel plasma membrane localization, retention, and stability occur through a direct interaction with the postsynaptic density-95/discs large/zonula occludens-1-and WW domain-containing scaffold protein called membrane-associated guanylate kinase with inverted orientation (Magi)-1. The neurophysiological roles of Magi-1 are largely unknown, but we found that dorsal root ganglion (DRG)-specific knockdown of Magi-1 attenuated thermal nociception and acute inflammatory pain and produced deficits in Na1.8 protein expression. A competing cell-penetrating peptide mimetic derived from the Na1.8 WW binding motif decreased sodium currents, reduced Na1.8 protein expression, and produced hypoexcitability. Remarkably, a phosphorylated variant of the very same peptide caused an opposing increase in Na1.8 surface expression and repetitive firing. Likewise, , the peptides produced diverging effects on nocifensive behavior. Additionally, we found that Magi-1 bound to sequence like a calcium-activated potassium channel sodium-activated (Slack) potassium channels, demonstrating macrocomplexing with Na1.8 channels. Taken together, these findings emphasize Magi-1 as an essential scaffold for ion transport in DRG neurons and a central player in pain.-Pryce, K. D., Powell, R., Agwa, D., Evely, K. M., Sheehan, G. D., Nip, A., Tomasello, D. L., Gururaj, S., Bhattacharjee, A. Magi-1 scaffolds Na1.8 and Slack K channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons regulating excitability and pain.