Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: TRP , TRPV , TRPV1

Title: Receptor-targeting mechanisms of pain-causing toxins: How ow?

Authors: Christopher J Bohlen, David Julius

Journal, date & volume: , 2012 Apr 14 , ,

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22538196

Abstract
Venoms often target vital processes to cause paralysis or death, but many types of venom also elicit notoriously intense pain. While these pain-producing effects can result as a byproduct of generalized tissue trauma, there are now multiple examples of venom-derived toxins that target somatosensory nerve terminals in order to activate nociceptive (pain-sensing) neural pathways. Intriguingly, investigation of the venom components that are responsible for evoking pain has revealed novel roles and/or configurations of well-studied toxin motifs. This review serves to highlight pain-producing toxins that target the capsaicin receptor, TRPV1, or members of the acid-sensing ion channel family, and to discuss the utility of venom-derived multivalent and multimeric complexes.