Characterization of acid-sensing ion channels in dorsal horn neurons of rat spinal cord

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are ligand-gated cation channels activated by extracellular protons. In periphery, they contribute to sensory transmission, including that of nociception and pain. Here we characterized ASIC-like currents in dorsal horn neurons of the rat spinal cord and their functional modulation in pathological conditions. Reverse transcriptase-nested PCR and Western blotting showed that three ASIC isoforms, ASIC1a, ASIC2a, and ASIC2b, are expressed at a high level in dorsal horn neurons. Electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of the proton-gated currents suggest that homomeric ASIC1a and/or heteromeric ASIC1a + 2b channels are responsible for the proton-induced currents in the majority of dorsal horn neurons. Acidification-induced action potentials in these neurons were compatible in a pH-dependent manner with the pH dependence of ASIC-like current. Furthermore, peripheral complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammation resulted in increased expression of both ASIC1a and ASIC2a in dorsal horn. These results support the idea that the ASICs of dorsal horn neurons participate in central sensory transmission/modulation under physiological conditions and may play important roles in inflammation-related persistent pain.

Upregulation of acid-sensing ion channel ASIC1a in spinal dorsal horn neurons contributes to inflammatory pain hypersensitivity

Development of chronic pain involves alterations in peripheral nociceptors as well as elevated neuronal activity in multiple regions of the CNS. Previous pharmacological and behavioral studies suggest that peripheral acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) cont

~(209)Fr���能级结构研究

利用能量为 90— 1 0 5MeV的16 O束流 ,通过197Au( 16 O ,4n)反应研究了2 0 9　Fr���高自旋态能级结构 .进行了γ射线的激发函数、γ γ延迟符合及γ射线的角分布测量 .首次建立了由 2 1条γ射线构成的2 0 9Fr���能级纲图 ,其中包括一个半寿命为 ( 52± 2 0 )ns的同质异能态 .基于2 0 9Fr���2 0 8Rn低位能级结构的相似性 ,用一个h9/ 2 价质子与2 0 8Rn激发态的弱耦合解释了2 0 9Fr���低位能级结构 .

高激发~(213)Fr���的形变研究

对 132MeV16O +197Au反应产生的裂变碎片和巨偶极共振γ射线进行了符合测量 ,得到了E =92MeV的高激发2 13 Fr���γ衰变谱和γ角关联谱 .观测到复合核巨偶极共振γ角关联谱存在很大的各向异性 .利用改进的统计模型程序分析了实验数据 ,不考虑裂变延迟时 ,统计模型计算可以很好拟合地实验结果 .通过对γ角关联谱的理论计算与实验结果的比较 ,可以得出高激发2 13 Fr���(E =92MeV)的形状从集体长椭球向非集体扁椭球变化