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Comparative Study
Cowhage-evoked itch is mediated by a novel cysteine protease: a ligand of protease-activated receptors.
- Vemuri B Reddy, Aurel O Iuga, Steve G Shimada, Robert H LaMotte, and Ethan A Lerner.
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA.
- J. Neurosci. 2008 Apr 23; 28 (17): 4331-5.
AbstractCowhage spicules provide an important model for histamine-independent itch. We determined that the active component of cowhage, termed mucunain, is a novel cysteine protease. We isolated mucunain and demonstrate that both native and recombinant mucunain evoke the same quality of itch in humans. We also show that mucunain is a ligand for protease-activated receptors two and four. These results support and expand the relationship between proteases, protease-activated receptors, and itch.
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