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Alleviation of thermal nociception depends on heat-sensitive neurons and a TRP channel in the brain (cell.com)
submitted 2m ago by Robert_Larsson
Robert_Larsson [OP] 2 points 2m ago
**Graphical abstract**
**Highlights**
* Epi neurons are descending neurons in the brain that suppress thermal nociception
* A TRP channel (Painless) is required in Epi neurons to suppress thermal nociception
* Activation of Epi neurons by noxious heat depends on Painless
* Allatostatin C is a neuropeptide released by Epi neurons that reduces nociception
**Summary**
Acute avoidance of dangerous temperatures is critical for animals to prevent or minimize injury. Therefore, surface receptors have evolved to endow neurons with the capacity to detect noxious heat so that animals can initiate escape behaviors. Animals including humans have evolved intrinsic pain-suppressing systems to attenuate nociception under some circumstances. Here, using Drosophila melanogaster, we uncovered a new mechanism through which thermal nociception is suppressed. We identified a single descending neuron in each brain hemisphere, which is the center for suppression of thermal nociception. These Epi neurons, for Epione—the goddess of soothing of pain—express a nociception-suppressing neuropeptide Allatostatin C (AstC), which is related to a mammalian anti-nociceptive peptide, somatostatin. Epi neurons are direct sensors for noxious heat, and when activated they release AstC, which diminishes nociception. We found that Epi neurons also express the heat-activated TRP channel, Painless (Pain), and thermal activation of Epi neurons and the subsequent suppression of thermal nociception depend on Pain. Thus, while TRP channels are well known to sense noxious temperatures to promote avoidance behavior, this work reveals the first role for a TRP channel for detecting noxious temperatures for the purpose of suppressing rather than enhancing nociception behavior in response to hot thermal stimuli.
**Pop-science:** https://neurosciencenews.com/epi-neuron-pain-23261/
**Highlights**
* Epi neurons are descending neurons in the brain that suppress thermal nociception
* A TRP channel (Painless) is required in Epi neurons to suppress thermal nociception
* Activation of Epi neurons by noxious heat depends on Painless
* Allatostatin C is a neuropeptide released by Epi neurons that reduces nociception
**Summary**
Acute avoidance of dangerous temperatures is critical for animals to prevent or minimize injury. Therefore, surface receptors have evolved to endow neurons with the capacity to detect noxious heat so that animals can initiate escape behaviors. Animals including humans have evolved intrinsic pain-suppressing systems to attenuate nociception under some circumstances. Here, using Drosophila melanogaster, we uncovered a new mechanism through which thermal nociception is suppressed. We identified a single descending neuron in each brain hemisphere, which is the center for suppression of thermal nociception. These Epi neurons, for Epione—the goddess of soothing of pain—express a nociception-suppressing neuropeptide Allatostatin C (AstC), which is related to a mammalian anti-nociceptive peptide, somatostatin. Epi neurons are direct sensors for noxious heat, and when activated they release AstC, which diminishes nociception. We found that Epi neurons also express the heat-activated TRP channel, Painless (Pain), and thermal activation of Epi neurons and the subsequent suppression of thermal nociception depend on Pain. Thus, while TRP channels are well known to sense noxious temperatures to promote avoidance behavior, this work reveals the first role for a TRP channel for detecting noxious temperatures for the purpose of suppressing rather than enhancing nociception behavior in response to hot thermal stimuli.
**Pop-science:** https://neurosciencenews.com/epi-neuron-pain-23261/
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