Title: Gating and modulation of presumptive NaV1.9 channels in enteric and spinal sensory neurons.

Authors: Bertrand Coste, Nancy Osorio, Françoise Padilla, Marcel Crest, Patrick Delmas

Journal, date & volume: Mol. Cell. Neurosci., 2004 May , 26, 123-34

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15121184

Abstract
The NaV1.9 subunit is expressed in nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and sensory myenteric neurons in which it generates 'persistent' tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na+ currents of yet unknown physiological functions. Here, we have analyzed these currents in details by combining single-channel and whole-cell recordings from cultured rat DRG and myenteric neurons. Comparison of single-channel with whole-cell data indicates that recording using internal CsCl best reflects the basic electrical features of NaV1.9 currents. Inclusion of fluoride in the pipette solution caused a negative shift in the activation and inactivation gates of NaV1.9 but not NaV1.8. Fluoride acts by promoting entry of NaV1.9 channels into a preopen closed state, which causes a strong bias towards opening and enhances the ability of sensory neurons to sustain spiking. Thus, the modulation of the resting-closed states of NaV1.9 channels strongly influences nociceptor excitability and may provide a mechanism by which inflammatory mediators alter pain threshold.