Lin Z, Cheng B, Ling J, Chen X, Liu J
Department of Oral Medicine, College of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences.
Hua Xi Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2001 Aug;19(4):253-5, 259.
The aims of this study were to reveal the relationship between Fos protein expression, the transcription of preproenkephalin (PENK) mRNA, and the change of enkephalin (ENK) level initiated by experimental dental pain, and to understand the central modulation mechanism of dental pain.
The techniques of Immunohistochemistry in situ hybridization and radioimmunoassay were applied respectively to detect the expression of Fos, the transcription of PENK mRNA, and the change of ENK level in the experimental nucleus of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve, caudal part (sp5c) of rats.
It was found that Fos protein expression was in a time-dependent manner. Fos appeared half hour after the pain stimulation, and its peak occurred two hours after the pain stimulation, but disappeared slowly four hours later. The transcription of PENK mRNA was seen two hours after the pain stimulation, its peak appeared four hours later and it disappeared eight hours later. The level of ENK increased significantly (P < 0.01) in the caudal part of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve four hours after pain stimulation.
Fos protein may take a part in the central modulation of dental pain by initiating PENK mRNA transcription which led to the increment of ENK.
本研究旨在揭示实验性牙痛引发的Fos蛋白表达、前脑啡肽原（PENK）mRNA转录与脑啡肽（ENK）水平变化之间的关系，并了解牙痛的中枢调节机制。
分别应用免疫组织化学、原位杂交和放射免疫分析技术，检测大鼠三叉神经脊束核尾部（sp5c）中Fos的表达、PENK mRNA的转录以及ENK水平的变化。
发现Fos蛋白表达呈时间依赖性。疼痛刺激后半小时出现Fos，疼痛刺激后两小时达到峰值，四小时后缓慢消失。疼痛刺激后两小时可见PENK mRNA转录，四小时后达到峰值，八小时后消失。疼痛刺激后四小时，三叉神经脊束核尾部的ENK水平显著升高（P<0.01）。
Fos蛋白可能通过启动PENK mRNA转录导致ENK增加，从而参与牙痛的中枢调节。
