Identification of subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels and actions of pregabalin on intrinsic primary afferent neurons in the guinea-pig ileum

Abstract

Background The intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs) in the intestine are the first neurons of intrinsic reflexes. Action potential currents of IPANs flow partly through calcium channels, which could feasibly be targeted by pregabalin. The aim was to determine whether pregabalin-sensitive α2δ1 subunits associate with calcium channels of IPANs and whether α2δ1 subunit ligands influence IPAN neuronal properties. Methods We used intracellular electrophysiological recording and in situ hybridisation to investigate calcium channel subunit expression in guinea-pig enteric neurons. Key Results The α subunits of N (α1B) and R (α1E) type calcium channels, and the auxiliary α2δ1 subunit, were exp..