A-type FHFs mediate resurgent currents through TTX-resistant voltage-gated sodium channels.

Xiao, Yucheng; Theile, Jonathan W; Zybura, Agnes; Pan, Yanling; Lin, Zhixin; Cummins, Theodore R · Elife · 2022

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Resurgent currents (<i>I</i><sub>NaR</sub>) produced by voltage-gated sodium channels are required for many neurons to maintain high-frequency firing and contribute to neuronal hyperexcitability and disease pathophysiology. Here, we show, for the first time, that <i>I</i><sub>NaR</sub> can be reconstituted in a heterologous system by coexpression of sodium channel α-subunits and A-type fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs). Specifically, A-type FHFs induces <i>I</i><sub>NaR</sub> from Nav1.8, Nav1.9 tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant neuronal channels, and, to a lesser extent, neuronal Nav1.7 and cardiac Nav1.5 channels. Moreover, we identified the N-terminus of FHF as the critical molecule responsible for A-type FHFs-mediated <i>I</i><sub>NaR</sub>. Among the FHFs, FHF4A is the most important isoform for mediating Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 <i>I</i><sub>NaR</sub>. In nociceptive sensory neurons, FHF4A knockdown significantly reduces <i>I</i><sub>NaR</sub> amplitude and the percentage of neurons that generate <i>I</i><sub>NaR</sub>, substantially suppressing excitability. Thus, our work reveals a novel molecular mechanism underlying TTX-resistant <i>I</i><sub>NaR</sub> generation and provides important potential targets for pain treatment.

Medical subject headings