Figure 1

Involvement of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) channels and receptors in the induction and modulation of pain. A variety of DRG channels and receptors are involved in the transduction of noxious stimuli into electric impulses at the peripheral terminals of DRG neurons [e.g., transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, voltage-sensitive sodium (Na⁺) channels, ATP-sensitive receptors, acid sensing ion channels], in the conduction of action potentials along the axons [e.g., voltage-sensitive Na⁺ channels and potassium (K⁺) channels], and in the modulation of neurotransmitter release at presynaptic terminals of primary afferents in the dorsal horn [e.g., voltage-gated calcium (Ca²⁺) channels, GABA receptors, and glutamate receptors].