Contribution of Nav1.8 Sodium Channels to Action Potential Electrogenesis in DRG Neurons

C-type dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons can generate tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) sodium-dependent action potentials. However, multiple sodium channels are expressed in these neurons, and the molecular identity of the TTX-R sodium channels that contribute to action potential production in these neurons has not been established. In this study, we used current-clamp recordings to compare action potential electrogenesis in Na v 1.8 (+/+) and (−/−) small DRG neurons maintained for 2–8 h in vitro to examine the role of sodium channel Na v 1.8 (α-SNS) in action potential electrogenesis. Although there was no significant difference in resting membrane potential, input resistance, current threshold, or voltage threshold in Na v 1.8 (+/+) and (−/−) DRG neurons, there were significant differences in action potential electrogenesis. Most Na v 1.8 (+/+) neurons generate all-or-none action potentials, whereas most of Na v 1.8 (−/−) neurons produce smaller graded responses. The peak of the response was significantly reduced in Na v 1.8 (−/−) neurons 31.5 ± 2.2 (SE) mV compared with Na v 1.8 (+/+) neurons (55.0 ± 4.3 mV). The maximum rise slope was 84.7 ± 11.2 mV/ms in Na v 1.8 (+/+) neurons, significantly faster than in Na v 1.8 (−/−) neurons where it was 47.2 ± 1.3 mV/ms. Calculations based on the action potential overshoot in Na v 1.8 (+/+) and (−/−) neurons, following blockade of Ca 2+ currents, indicate that Na v 1.8 contributes a substantial fraction (80–90%) of the inward membrane current that flows during the rising phase of the action potential. We found that fast TTX-sensitive Na + channels can produce all-or-none action potentials in some Na v 1.8 (−/−) neurons but, presumably as a result of steady-state inactivation of these channels, electrogenesis in Na v 1.8 (−/−) neurons is more sensitive to membrane depolarization than in Na v 1.8 (+/+) neurons, and, in the absence of Na v 1.8, is attenuated with even modest depolarization. These observations indicate that Na v 1.8 contributes substantially to action potential electrogenesis in C-type DRG neurons.