Peripheral injury produces neuropathic pain which is characterized by invoking of pain by non-painful stimuli (allodynia) and exaggerated pain in response to painful stimuli (hyperalgesia). Neuropathic pain is difficult to manage. To some extent, the pain can be controlled by anti-inflammatory or opioid drugs. However, the neuropathic pain as a result of loss of a limb (phantom limb syndrome), reflex sympathetic dystrophy and post-herpetic neuralgia do not respond to these treatments.

The underlying basis of the neuropathic pain is not clear, but is thought to be related to the to N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA) receptor mediated state of hyperexcitability. Therefore, the the post-receptor signal inducers that lie downstream from the receptor mediated responses may be involved in the persistence of the pain. Annika et al, in the October 10^th issue of Science describe the involvement of the PKC g in such pain. The authors showed that in mice that lack PKC g, actue pain is preserved, yet the neuropathic pain is reduced . In addition, PKCg was shown to be confined to a small subset of dorsal horn neurons. These findings, provide the potential molecular pathway which is involved in the persistence of pain and which may be used as a target for its treatment.

Normal responses to flunitrazepam or pentobarbital
Reduction of immunoactivity in cerebellum to undetectable levels without alteration to levels of beta1, or beta2 isoforms
Reduction of sensitivity to effects of ethanol

Impaired elimination of multiple climbing fiber innervation of cerebellar

Harris, 1995

Mutant mice lacking the gamma isoform of protein kinase C show decreased behavioral actions of ethanol and altered function of gamma-aminobutyrate type A receptors
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 92, 3658-3662 (1995) [95249532]

Annika B, 1997

Preserved acute pain and reduced neuropathic pain in mice lacking PKCg
Science 278, 279-283, 1997

( (pkc-gamma))

	Line Name	DNA Construct
1.	PKC-gamma (+/-)	Calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase subtype gamma was cloned from a 129/Ola mouse genomic cosmid library with a rat PKC-gamma cDNA probe. The exon structure w....
2.	PCK-gamma (+/-) & l	Calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase subtype gamma was cloned from a 129/Ola mouse genomic cosmid library with a rat PKC-gamma cDNA probe. The exon structure w....
3.	PKC-gamma (-/-)	Calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase subtype gamma was cloned from a 129/Ola mouse genomic cosmid library with a rat PKC-gamma cDNA probe. The exon structure w....
4.	PKC-gamma (-/-) (et	Calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase subtype gamma was cloned from a 129/Ola mouse genomic cosmid library with a rat PKC-gamma cDNA probe. The exon structure w....
5.	PCK-gamma (-/-) & l	Calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase subtype gamma was cloned from a 129/Ola mouse genomic cosmid library with a rat PKC-gamma cDNA probe. The exon structure w....