缝隙连接蛋白43在慢性疼痛中的研究进展

Progress in gap junction protein 43 in chronic pain

缝隙连接在细胞通讯中发挥了重要的作用,它广泛存在于哺乳动物的各器官和组织中(红细胞、骨骼肌除外)。缝隙连接的过度表达和功能的增强与外周及中枢疼痛敏化机制密切相关。星形胶质细胞是中枢神经系统中最主要的细胞类型,其主要的缝隙连接蛋白是缝隙连接蛋白43。缝隙连接蛋白43在慢性疼痛中的作用包括调控缝隙连接的表达、耦联及活性变化。

Gap junction （GJ） plays an important role in cell communication. It is widely distributed in mammalian organs and tissues （except red blood cells and skeletal muscle）, The overexpression of GJ and the enhancement of function are closely related to the mechanism of peripheral and central pain sensitization. Astrocytes are the most abundant type of glial cell in the central nervous system, and the major structural components of gap junctions are the connexin 43 （Cx43） subunit. Cx43 may play key role in chronic pain process, including the regulation of the coupling and function of GJ.