Hence if there is a misregulation of temperature-activated ion channels then it can result in chronic pain syndromes. Ion channels are proteins found in the cell membrane that can form a tunnel or channel that allows specific ions to move across the membrane. When activated, the channel opens, allowing an influx of calcium ions into the axon, an electrical signal that alerts the neuron, which relays the message to the brain.
Some of these ion channels are considered as targets to treat chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain indications. The researchers identified the exact point at which the menthol interacted and the site that translates binding information to ion channel activity.
Research Associate Michael Bandell, said that this could prove to be useful as a general method to analyze the mechanism by which drugs can activate or inhibit ion channels or other receptors. Specifically, the new methodology could be used to identify amino acid residues in certain ion channel proteins and G-protein coupled receptors that are involved in the interaction with small molecules that affect their function.