Functionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol

Abstract Cannabinol (CBN), an incompletely understood metabolite for ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, has been suggested as an analgesic. CBN interacts with endocannabinoid (CB) receptors, but is also reported to interact with non-CB targets, including various ion channels. We assessed CBN effects on voltag...

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Main Authors: Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo, Philip R. Effraim, Sidharth Tyagi, Peng Zhao, Sulayman D. Dib-Hajj, Stephen G. Waxman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-01-01
Series:Communications Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-05781-x
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author Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
Philip R. Effraim
Sidharth Tyagi
Peng Zhao
Sulayman D. Dib-Hajj
Stephen G. Waxman
author_facet Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
Philip R. Effraim
Sidharth Tyagi
Peng Zhao
Sulayman D. Dib-Hajj
Stephen G. Waxman
author_sort Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Cannabinol (CBN), an incompletely understood metabolite for ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, has been suggested as an analgesic. CBN interacts with endocannabinoid (CB) receptors, but is also reported to interact with non-CB targets, including various ion channels. We assessed CBN effects on voltage-dependent sodium (Nav) channels expressed heterologously and in native dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Our results indicate that CBN is a functionally-selective, but structurally-non-selective Nav current inhibitor. CBN’s main effect is on slow inactivation. CBN slows recovery from slow-inactivated states, and hyperpolarizes steady-state inactivation, as channels enter deeper and slower inactivated states. Multielectrode array recordings indicate that CBN attenuates DRG neuron excitability. Voltage- and current-clamp analysis of freshly isolated DRG neurons via our automated patch-clamp platform confirmed these findings. The inhibitory effects of CBN on Nav currents and on DRG neuron excitability add a new dimension to its actions and suggest that this cannabinoid may be useful for neuropathic pain.
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spelling doaj-art-60407da0abdb4b1b9e5d0e2499727ac92025-08-20T02:07:45ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422024-01-017111710.1038/s42003-024-05781-xFunctionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinolMohammad-Reza Ghovanloo0Philip R. Effraim1Sidharth Tyagi2Peng Zhao3Sulayman D. Dib-Hajj4Stephen G. Waxman5Department of Neurology, Yale University School of MedicineCenter for Neuroscience & Regeneration Research, Yale UniversityDepartment of Neurology, Yale University School of MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Yale University School of MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Yale University School of MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Yale University School of MedicineAbstract Cannabinol (CBN), an incompletely understood metabolite for ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, has been suggested as an analgesic. CBN interacts with endocannabinoid (CB) receptors, but is also reported to interact with non-CB targets, including various ion channels. We assessed CBN effects on voltage-dependent sodium (Nav) channels expressed heterologously and in native dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Our results indicate that CBN is a functionally-selective, but structurally-non-selective Nav current inhibitor. CBN’s main effect is on slow inactivation. CBN slows recovery from slow-inactivated states, and hyperpolarizes steady-state inactivation, as channels enter deeper and slower inactivated states. Multielectrode array recordings indicate that CBN attenuates DRG neuron excitability. Voltage- and current-clamp analysis of freshly isolated DRG neurons via our automated patch-clamp platform confirmed these findings. The inhibitory effects of CBN on Nav currents and on DRG neuron excitability add a new dimension to its actions and suggest that this cannabinoid may be useful for neuropathic pain.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-05781-x
spellingShingle Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
Philip R. Effraim
Sidharth Tyagi
Peng Zhao
Sulayman D. Dib-Hajj
Stephen G. Waxman
Functionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol
Communications Biology
title Functionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol
title_full Functionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol
title_fullStr Functionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol
title_full_unstemmed Functionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol
title_short Functionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol
title_sort functionally selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-05781-x
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