COX7C: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker for Chronic Pain

Target Name: COX7C

NCBI ID: G1350

COX7C

COX7C: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker for Chronic Pain

Introduction

Chronic pain is a significant public health issue, affecting millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 10% of the global population experiences chronic pain, with costs associated with chronic pain reaching $600 billion annually. Chronic pain can be caused by various conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders, neuropathies, and inflammatory diseases. While conventional pain treatments have been effective in managing the symptoms, there is a growing need for new, more effective approaches to treat chronic pain.

COX7C, or cytochrome-c oxidase chain VIIc, is a protein that is expressed in various tissues and plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response. Its function in modulating pain perception and inflammation has been the focus of extensive research in recent years, and its potential as a drug target or biomarker has gained significant attention.

The discovery and characterization of COX7C

COX7C was first identified as a heat shock protein (HSP) in the piglet liver by researchers at the University of California, San Diego. HSPs are proteins that are able to withstand high temperatures and are involved in various cellular processes, including stress response, DNA replication, and cell signaling. COX7C was found to be a heat-resistant protein that was expressed in various tissues, including the liver, spleen, and pancreas.

The role of COX7C in pain perception and inflammation

The role of COX7C in pain perception and inflammation is well established. COX7C is involved in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-伪 and IL-1尾, which are instrumental in the recruitment of immune cells to the site of pain. Additionally, COX7C is involved in the production of heat-resistant prostaglandins (PGs), which contribute to the persistent pain associated with chronic conditions.

In animal models of pain, COX7C has been shown to play a central role in the development of pain-related inflammation and hyperalgesia (the tendency to experience pain at higher intensities). For example, overexpression of COX7C in mice resulted in increased pain sensitivity and the development of pain-related inflammation.

The potential implications of COX7C as a drug target

The potential implications of COX7C as a drug target are vast. If COX7C can be effectively targeted, it may provide a new treatment option for chronic pain conditions. By inhibiting the activity of COX7C, it may be possible to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decrease the persistent pain associated with chronic conditions.

COX7C has also been shown to be a potential biomarker for chronic pain. The expression of COX7C is known to increase with the intensity of pain, making it a potentially useful diagnostic marker for chronic pain conditions. Additionally, the levels of COX7C have been shown to be elevated in individuals with chronic pain, providing a potential target for personalized medicine.

The development of small molecules that specifically target COX7C may also have implications for the treatment of chronic pain. By inhibiting the activity of COX7C, small molecules may be able to provide relief from pain without the potential side effects associated with traditional pain treatments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, COX7C is a protein that plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response and pain perception. Its function in modulating pain perception and inflammation has been the focus of extensive research in recent years, and its potential as a drug target or biomarker for chronic pain has gained significant attention. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of COX7C in pain perception and to develop effective treatments for chronic pain conditions.

Protein Name: Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit 7C

Functions: Component of the cytochrome c oxidase, the last enzyme in the mitochondrial electron transport chain which drives oxidative phosphorylation. The respiratory chain contains 3 multisubunit complexes succinate dehydrogenase (complex II, CII), ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (cytochrome b-c1 complex, complex III, CIII) and cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV, CIV), that cooperate to transfer electrons derived from NADH and succinate to molecular oxygen, creating an electrochemical gradient over the inner membrane that drives transmembrane transport and the ATP synthase. Cytochrome c oxidase is the component of the respiratory chain that catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to water. Electrons originating from reduced cytochrome c in the intermembrane space (IMS) are transferred via the dinuclear copper A center (CU(A)) of subunit 2 and heme A of subunit 1 to the active site in subunit 1, a binuclear center (BNC) formed by heme A3 and copper B (CU(B)). The BNC reduces molecular oxygen to 2 water molecules using 4 electrons from cytochrome c in the IMS and 4 protons from the mitochondrial matrix

The "COX7C Target / Biomarker Review Report" is a customizable review of hundreds up to thousends of related scientific research literature by AI technology, covering specific information about COX7C comprehensively, including but not limited to:
•   general information;
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•   protein biological mechanisms;
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•   the target screening and validation;
•   expression level;
•   disease relevance;
•   drug resistance;
•   related combination drugs;
•   pharmacochemistry experiments;
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•   advantages and risks of development, etc.
The report is helpful for project application, drug molecule design, research progress updates, publication of research papers, patent applications, etc. If you are interested to get a full version of this report, please feel free to contact us at BD@silexon.ai

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