Nav1.7 Inhibitor

Researchers at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) at The University of Queensland (UQ) have developed a novel peptide-based inhibitor of the voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 (Na_v1.7). Loss-of-function mutations of SCN9A, the gene encoding Na_v1.7, have been identified as the cause of congenital insensitivity to pain, a rare condition characterized by the inability to sense pain in otherwise normal individuals.  Gain-of-function mutations of SCN9A are the cause of two hereditary pain disorders, inherited erythromelalgia and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder. Both disorders are associated with redness, swelling and burning pain and thus, pharmacological inhibition of Na_v1.7 is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment pain.

Therapeutic applications of the Na_v1.7 inhibitor include:

• Post-operative pain;
• Acute pain;
• Chronic cough;
• Cancer, and
• Itch.