Functional characterisation of an important heteromeric Acid-Sensing Ion Channels of the PNS

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated ion channels that are also expressed in the peripheral nervous system where they detect painful acidosis. ASICs assemble as homo- or heterotrimers. In the PNS, among other ASICs, the subunits ASIC2a and ASIC3 are expressed. In our most recent study, which was published in the multidisciplinary journal Communications Biology (https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05087-4), we functionally characterized the two possible ASIC2a/3 heteromers. We found that these heteromers have profoundly different electrophysiological properties and that the heteromer with a 1:2 (ASIC2a:ASIC3) stoichiometry is the physiologically relevant heteromer. Our results increase our understanding of ASICs in sensory neurons and could in the long term contribute to a better pain therapy.