P2X4受体结构及其参与神经病理性痛机制的研究进展

神经病理性痛是神经系统炎症或损伤后引发的一种慢性疼痛,其发病机制复杂,目前仍缺乏有效的治疗药物。近年来针对P2X4受体的蛋白结构及配体结合相关的重要部位开展了大量研究,发现表达于脊髓背角小胶质细胞的P2X4受体在神经病理性痛的发生和发展过程中具有重要的作用,提示其可能参与了神经病理性痛的发病。本文就P2X4受体的结构及其参与神经病理性痛的可能机制作一综述,试图为靶向P2X4受体研发新型抗神经病理性痛药物提供新的线索。

Advances for the structure and possible role of P2X4 receptor in the development of neuropathic pain: implication for new drug discovery

Neuropathic pain is a kind of chronic pain after neuro-inflammation or neuro-trauma, the mechanisms of which are complex. Till now there is no effective drug for the treatmet of neuropathic pain. In recent years, great progress has been made about the protein structure of P2X4 receptor and the important region for ligand binding. In addition, it was proved that the P2X4 receptor expressed on the spinal microglia exerted important role in the development of neuropathic pain which infer the participation of P2X4 receptor in neuropathic pain. In this article, we reviewed the advances made in the recent years about the structure and possible role of P2X4 receptor in the development of neuropathic pain and hope to provide new ideas to develop new drugs target P2X4 receptor.