Analgesic Effects of Phα1β Toxin: a Review of Mechanisms of Action Involving Pain Pathways

Overview

Journal J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis

Date 2021 Dec 6

PMID 34868281

Citations 7

Authors

Juliana Figueira da Silva

Nancy Scardua Binda

Elizete Maria Rita Pereira

Mario Sergio Lima de Lavor

Luciene Bruno Vieira

Alessandra Hubner de Souza

Flavia Karine Rigo

Helia Tenza Ferrer

Celio Jose de Castro

Juliano Ferreira

Marcus Vinicius Gomez

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Phα1β is a neurotoxin purified from spider venom that acts as a high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium channel blocker. This spider peptide has shown a high selectivity for N-type HVA calcium channels (NVACC) and an analgesic effect in several animal models of pain. Its activity was associated with a reduction in calcium transients, glutamate release, and reactive oxygen species production from the spinal cord tissue and dorsal ganglia root (DRG) in rats and mice. It has been reported that intrathecal (i.t.) administration of Phα1β to treat chronic pain reverted opioid tolerance with a safer profile than -conotoxin MVIIA, a highly selective NVACC blocker. Following a recent development of recombinant Phα1β (CTK 01512-2), a new molecular target, TRPA1, the structural arrangement of disulphide bridges, and an effect on glial plasticity have been identified. CTK 01512-2 reproduced the antinociceptive effects of the native toxin not only after the intrathecal but also after the intravenous administration. Herein, we review the Phα1β antinociceptive activity in the most relevant pain models and its mechanisms of action, highlighting the impact of CTK 01512-2 synthesis and its potential for multimodal analgesia.

Citing Articles

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