EphB1 as a Novel Drug Target to Combat Pain and Addiction

Abstract

We have shown using knockout mice and other methods that the neuronal/synaptic receptor protein known as EphB1 is a central player in nerve injury-induced chronic neuropathic pain as well as the related pain symptoms associated with the withdrawal from opioid/morphine addiction. Our hypothesis is that EphB1 participates in pain caused by nerve damage and opioid withdrawal through the ability of its extracellular domain to form protein-protein interactions with the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor and inappropriately strengthen the synapses and neural circuits in the spinal cord that transmit pain signals up into the brain. Our project is to carry out high-throughput screens (HTS) to identify small molecular weight drug-like compounds that antagonize the EphB1:NR1 protein-protein interaction. In year 1 of the project we have cloned, expressed, and purified the unique protein tools needed for the project. We have also worked to develop protein-protein interaction assays necessary for the HTS.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2015
Accession Number
ADA623593

Entities

People

  • Mark Henkemeyer

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Dallas

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Addiction
  • Amino Acids
  • Biomedical Research
  • Drug Abuse
  • Electronic Mail
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Molecular Weight
  • Morphine
  • Opioids
  • Pain
  • Professional Development
  • Protein-Protein Interactions
  • Spinal Cord
  • Technicians
  • Technology Transfer
  • Throughput

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular Genetics
  • Neuroscience
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.