Example of a target – Nav1.7 inhibitors for pain

Question 1

What is Nav1.7?

Answer 1

• Voltage gated sodium channel plays critical role in generation and conduction of action potentials

Question 2

What is SCN9A gene

Answer 2

• Nav1.7 is a sodium ion channel that is encoded by the SCN9A gene

Question 3

What does mutation in the SCN9A gene cause?

Answer 3

• Severe pain attacks
• Can’t differentiate between hot and cold
• In one mutation NO pain was felt
• It is considered that gene mutations may cause variations in sensitivity to pain from complete insensitivity to extreme sensitivity