Encyclopedia of Neuroscience

2009 Edition
| Editors: Marc D. Binder, Nobutaka Hirokawa, Uwe Windhorst

G-Protein Coupled Receptors in Sensory Neuron Function and Pain

  • Derek C. Molliver
Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29678-2_2070
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Synonyms

Metabotropic receptors; Pain and ligand-gated channels/receptors; GPCRs

Definition

The function of membrane-bound receptors coupled to intracellular signaling pathways (GPCRs) in pain-sensing neurons.

Characteristics

Quantitative information:

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have a canonical seven transmembrane domain structure and may act as homo-dimers or may bind with other GPCR family members to act as heterodimers. They couple to heterotrimeric G proteins through specialized intracellular domains.

Approximate molecular weights of G proteins:

Gα: ∼ 40,000

Gβ: ∼ 35,000

Gγ: ∼ 8,000

Sensory neurons of the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) transduce mechanical, chemical and thermal stimuli to inform the organism of changes in bodily tissues and the external environment. Particularly important to the survival of the organism is the detection of potentially damaging (nociceptive) stimuli that lead to the sensation of pain. Pain-sensing neurons (nociceptors) innervate...

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag GmbH Berlin Heidelberg 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Derek C. Molliver
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghUSA