Nav1.7

NaV1.7, encoded by SCN9A, is a voltage-gated sodium channel strongly linked to human nociception, because loss-of-function mutations cause congenital inability to experience pain[1]. Mechanistically, NaV1.7 supports nociceptor excitability and pain signaling, and human studies show that NaV1.7 loss can produce a profound loss of functional nociceptors[2]. In disease models and inherited pain syndromes, gain-of-function SCN9A mutations are associated with paroxysmal extreme pain disorder and related painful phenotypes[3]. Compared with related isoforms, human dorsal root ganglion neurons show higher NaV1.7 expression and lower NaV1.8 expression than mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons, which is relevant for translational pain research[4]. For experimental applications, inflammatory mediators such as NGF and IL-6 sensitize adult dorsal root ganglion neurons, and combined NaV1.7/NaV1.8 blockade strongly affects thermally evoked firing[5]. Structural studies of NaV1.7 antagonists map drug-binding sites and support rational inhibitor design[6].