Chronic pain conditions cause an immense burden on society due to their astonishingly high prevalence and lack of effective treatments. This application addresses how indirect modulation of the excitability of neurons in pain conditions can be achieved by altering the expression and function of the Nav1.7 sodium channel. The scientific premise is that because direct blockade of Nav1.7 channels has been unsuccessful, targeting regulators of Nav1.7 may offer therapeutic advantages allowing for a graded analgesic response. Dr. Rajesh Khanna, Principal Investigator on this project, first discovered that expression of Nav1.7 at the surface is regulated by a protein, axonal collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), and that a mutant of CRMP2 lacking the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) post-translational modification (deSUMOylation) reduces Nav1.7 surface expression and currents. Importantly, the related Nav1.1, Nav1.3, Nav1.5, Nav1.6, Nav1.8, and Nav1.9 channels are unaffected. In preliminary studies, we demonstrate that loss of CRMP2 SUMOylation increases binding to endocytic proteins, potentially accounting for removal of Nav1.7 from the surface. The fraction of SUMOylated CRMP2 increases significantly following peripheral nerve injury. Excitingly, in vivo transfection of a CRMP2-K374A SUMO-null plasmid or a peptide mimicking the CRMP2 SUMOylation motif, into the spinal cord reversed mechanical allodynia in a model of neuropathic pain. Together, these findings strongly support the hypothesis that loss of CRMP2 SUMOylation reduces Nav1.7 localization at the plasma membrane, thereby decreasing nociceptive neuron excitability and thresholds to thermal and mechanical stimuli in acute and chronic pain. We will test this hypothesis in three specific aims.
In Aim 1, we will test the general role of CRMP2 SUMOylation on Nav1.7 currents and neuronal excitability using a recently created new transgenic K374A Crmp2 knock-in mouse model where the SUMOylation site (K374) of CRMP2 has been replaced with an alanine mutation; this mouse was made by Dr. Thomas Doetschman, a co-Investigator on this project and Director of the Genetically Engineered Mouse Models Core facility at the University of Arizona. The mechanism by which Nav1.7 surface trafficking and internalization occur is unknown and will be examined in Aim 2 of this proposal.
Aim 3 will evaluate the contribution of the CRMP2 SUMOylation state to acute pain thresholds as well as after experimentally induced pain thresholds using models in which Nav1.7 levels are increased; these studies will be performed in collaboration with Dr. Todd Vanderah, a co-Investigator on this project with deep expertise in preclinical pain modeling. Finally, in these mice, we will also measure CRMP2- dependent off-target effects on memory, locomotion/sedation, as well as behaviors linked to Nav1.7, including smell. The proposed study will considerably improve our understanding of how intracellular trafficking proteins can be modified in diseases/injuries, lay a solid foundation for unraveling mechanisms of the modification and trafficking of Nav1.7 in chronic pain, and offer novel and selective therapeutic targets for pain research.

Public Health Relevance

The current proposal aims to investigate the regulation of the Nav1.7 voltage-gated sodium channel by the cytosolic collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) and its role in the pathogenesis of acute and neuropathic pain. This study will improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying Nav1.7 in human pain and may aid in the design of new therapeutic approaches.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01DA042852-01A1
Application #
9381360
Study Section
Somatosensory and Chemosensory Systems Study Section (SCS)
Program Officer
Purohit, Vishnudutt
Project Start
2017-06-01
Project End
2022-02-28
Budget Start
2017-06-01
Budget End
2018-02-28
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$384,996
Indirect Cost
$134,184
Name
University of Arizona
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
806345617
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85721
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Chew, Lindsey A; Khanna, Rajesh (2018) CRMP2 and voltage-gated ion channels: potential roles in neuropathic pain. Neuronal Signal 2:
Parrilla-Carrero, Jeffrey; Buchta, William C; Goswamee, Priyodarshan et al. (2018) Restoration of Kv7 Channel-Mediated Inhibition Reduces Cued-Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking. J Neurosci 38:4212-4229
François-Moutal, Liberty; Dustrude, Erik T; Wang, Yue et al. (2018) Inhibition of the Ubc9 E2 SUMO-conjugating enzyme-CRMP2 interaction decreases NaV1.7 currents and reverses experimental neuropathic pain. Pain 159:2115-2127
Yu, Jie; Moutal, Aubin; Dorame, Angie et al. (2018) Phosphorylated CRMP2 Regulates Spinal Nociceptive Neurotransmission. Mol Neurobiol :
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Moutal, Aubin; Wang, Yue; Yang, Xiaofang et al. (2017) Dissecting the role of the CRMP2-neurofibromin complex on pain behaviors. Pain 158:2203-2221
Moutal, Aubin; Yang, Xiaofang; Li, Wennan et al. (2017) CRISPR/Cas9 editing of Nf1 gene identifies CRMP2 as a therapeutic target in neurofibromatosis type 1-related pain that is reversed by (S)-Lacosamide. Pain 158:2301-2319