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Introduction: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity that often persist until adulthood. Frequent comorbid disorders accompany ADHD and two thirds of children diagnosed with ADHD also suffer from behavioural disorders and from alteration of sensory processing. We recently characterized the comorbidity between ADHD-like symptoms and pain sensitisation in a pharmacological mouse model of ADHD, and we demonstrated the implication of the anterior cingulate cortex and posterior insula. However, few studies have explored the causal mechanisms underlying the interactions between ADHD and pain. The implication of inflammatory mechanisms has been suggested but the signalling pathways involved have not been explored. Methods: We investigated the roles of purinergic signalling, at the crossroad of pain and neuroinflammatory pathways, by using a transgenic mouse line that carries a total deletion of the P2X4 receptor. Results: We demonstrated that P2X4 deletion prevents hyperactivity in the mouse model of ADHD. In contrast, the absence of P2X4 lowered thermal pain thresholds in sham conditions and did not affect pain sensitization in ADHD-like conditions. We further analysed microglia reactivity and the expression of inflammatory markers in wild type and P2X4KO mice. Our results revealed that P2X4 deletion limits microglia reactivity but at the same time exerts proinflammatory effects in the anterior cingulate cortex and posterior insula. Conclusion: This dual role of P2X4 could be responsible for the differential effects noted on ADHD-like symptoms and pain sensitization and calls for further studies to investigate the therapeutic benefit of targeting the P2X4 receptor in ADHD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venom‐derived peptides targeting ion channels involved in pain are regarded as a promising alternative to current, and often ineffective, chronic pain treatments. Many peptide toxins are known to specifically and potently block established therapeutic targets, among which the voltage‐gated sodium and calcium channels are major contributors. Here, we report on the discovery and characterization of a novel spider toxin isolated from the crude venom of Pterinochilus murinus that shows inhibitory activity at both hNaV1.7 and hCaV3.2 channels, two therapeutic targets implicated in pain pathways. Bioassay‐guided HPLC fractionation revealed a 36‐amino acid peptide with three disulfide bridges named μ/ω‐theraphotoxin‐Pmu1a (Pmu1a). Following isolation and characterization, the toxin was chemically synthesized and its biological activity was further assessed using electrophysiology, revealing Pmu1a to be a toxin that potently blocks both hNaV1.7 and hCaV3. Nuclear magnetic resonance structure determination of Pmu1a shows an inhibitor cystine knot fold that is the characteristic of many spider peptides. Combined, these data show the potential of Pmu1a as a basis for the design of compounds with dual activity at the therapeutically relevant hCaV3.2 and hNaV1.7 voltage‐gated channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venom-derived peptides targeting ion channels involved in pain are regarded as a promising alternative to current, and often ineffective, chronic pain treatments. Many peptide toxins are known to specifically and potently block established therapeutic targets, among which the voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels are major contributors. Here, we report on the discovery and characterization of a novel spider toxin isolated from the crude venom of Pterinochilus murinus that shows inhibitory activity at both hNa V 1.7 and hCa V 3.2 channels, two therapeutic targets implicated in pain pathways. Bioassay-guided HPLC fractionation revealed a 36-amino acid peptide with three disulfide bridges named μ/ω-theraphotoxin-Pmu1a (Pmu1a). Following isolation and characterization, the toxin was chemically synthesized and its biological activity was further assessed using electrophysiology, revealing Pmu1a to be a toxin that potently blocks both hNa V 1.7 and hCa V 3. Nuclear magnetic resonance structure determination of Pmu1a shows an inhibitor cystine knot fold that is the characteristic of many spider peptides. Combined, these data show the potential of Pmu1a as a basis for the design of compounds with dual activity at the therapeutically relevant hCa V 3.2 and hNa V 1.7 voltage-gated channels., (© 2023 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.)