From genes to pain: nerve growth factor and hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type V.

Abstract

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type V (HSAN V) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the loss of deep pain perception. The anomalous pain and temperature sensations are due to the absence of nociceptive sensory innervation. The neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF), by binding to tropomyosin receptor A (TrkA) and p75NTR receptors, is essential for the development and survival of sensory neurons, and for pain perception during adulthood. Recently a homozygous missense mutation (R100W) in the NGF gene has been identified in HSAN V patients. Interestingly, alterations in NGF signalling, due to mutations in the NGF TRKA gene, have also been involved in another congenital insensitivity to pain, HSAN IV, characterized not only by absence of reaction to painful stimuli, but also anhidrosis and mental retardation. These symptoms are absent in HSAN V patients. Unravelling the mechanisms that underlie the differences between HSAN IV and V could assist in better understanding NGF biology. This review highlights the recent key findings in the understanding of HSAN V, including insights into the molecular mechanisms of the disease, derived from genetic studies of patients with this disorder.

• Authors: Simona Capsoni
• Journal: The European journal of neuroscience (Eur J Neurosci) Vol. 39 Issue 3 Pg. 392-400 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1460-9568 [Electronic] France
• PMID: 24494679 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2014 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Nerve Growth Factor

Topics

• Animals
• Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies (epidemiology, genetics, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Mutation
• Nerve Growth Factor (genetics, metabolism)