ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Peptides from venomous animals have long been important for understanding pain mechanisms and for the discovery of pain treatments. Here, we hypothesized that Phα1ß, a peptide from the venom of the armed spider Phoneutria nigriventer, produces analgesia by blocking the TRPA1 channel. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, human fetal lung fibroblasts (IMR90) or HEK293 cells expressing the human TRPA1 (hTRPA1-HEK293), human TRPV1 (hTRPV1-HEK293) or human TRPV4 channels (hTRPV4-HEK293), were used for calcium imaging and electrophysiology. Nociceptive responses induced by TRPA1, TRPV1 or TRPV4 agonists or by bortezomib were investigated in mice. KEY RESULTS: Phα1ß selectively inhibited calcium responses and currents evoked by the TRPA1 agonist, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), on hTRPA1-HEK293, IMR90 fibroblasts and DRG neurons. Phα1ß did not affect calcium responses evoked by selective TRPV1 (capsaicin) or TRPV4 (GSK 1016790A) agonists on the various cell types. Intrathecal (i.t.) and intraplantar (i.pl.) administration of low doses of Phα1ß (up to 300 pmol per paw) attenuated acute nociception and mechanical and cold hyperalgesia evoked by AITC (i.t. or i.pl.), without affecting responses produced by capsaicin or hypotonic solution. Notably, Phα1ß abated the TRPA1-dependent neuropathic pain-like responses induced by bortezomib. In vitro and in vivo inhibition of TRPA1 by Phα1ß was reproduced by a recombinant form of the peptide, CTK 01512-2. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Phα1ß and CTK 01512-2 selectively target TRPA1, but not other TRP channels. This specific action underlines the potential of Phα1ß and CTK 01512-2 for pain treatment.