KIF5B promotes the forward transport and axonal function of the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.8.

Nav1.8 is a tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel selectively expressed in primary sensory neurons. Peripheral inflammation and nerve injury induce Nav1.8 accumulation in peripheral nerves. However, the mechanisms and related significance of channel accumulation in nerves remains unclear. Here we report that KIF5B promotes the forward transport of Nav1.8 to the plasma membrane and axons in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of the rat. In peripheral inflammation induced through the intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant, increased KIF5 and Nav1.8 accumulation were observed in the sciatic nerve. The knock-down of KIF5B, a highly expressed member of the KIF5 family in DRGs, reduced the current density of Nav1.8 in both cultured DRG neurons and ND7-23 cells. Overexpression of KIF5B in ND7-23 cells increased the current density and surface expression of Nav1.8, which were abolished through brefeldin A treatment, whereas the increases were lost in KIF5B mutants defective in ATP hydrolysis or cargo binding. Overexpression of KIF5B also decreased the proteasome-associated degradation of Nav1.8. In addition, coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed interactions between the N terminus of Nav1.8 and the 511-620 aa sequence in the stalk domain of KIF5B. Furthermore, KIF5B increased Nav1.8 accumulation, Nav1.8 current, and neuronal excitability detected in the axons of cultured DRG neurons, which were completely abolished by the disruption of interactions between KIF5B and the N terminus of Nav1.8. Therefore, our results reveal that KIF5B is required for the forward transport and axonal function of Nav1.8, suggesting a mechanism for axonal accumulation of Nav1.8 in inflammatory pain.