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What is QAQ?

What is QAQ?. Ammonium– azobenzene –quaternary ammonium (QAQ ) A molecule devoloped at UC Berkeley Has 2 sides, cis and trans The trans side is very similar to Lidocaine and is a straight chain in structure, blocking the ion channels that send pain signals

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What is QAQ?

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  1. What is QAQ? • Ammonium–azobenzene–quaternary ammonium (QAQ) • A molecule devoloped at UC Berkeley • Has 2 sides, cis and trans • The trans side is very similar to Lidocaine and is a straight chain in structure, blocking the ion channels that send pain signals • The cis side is inactive and is bent in an L-shaped form. • QAQ slowly reverts to the trans side, which can be achieved much more quickly by…

  2. Light • Not just any old light. • 500 nm will acceleratethis process • Ultraviolet light reactivates the neurons

  3. All well and good but… • What makes lidocaine effective in dentists is it can cross cell membranes. But can QAQ do the same? • Rodent experiment.

  4. So not quite like Lidocaine • However, this lack of permeability gives QAQ the potential to be a selective anesthetic in a way Lidocaine is not. (ienot numbing entire face)

  5. TRPV1 • An Ion channel found in nociceptive neurons • Allowing QAQ to enter the nerves • Activated by a chemical called Capsaicin

  6. Capsaicin, found in chili peppers

  7. Capcaisin making the TRPV1 dilate allows entry for a bigger molecule like QAQ into the channel • The absence of TRPV1 in other nerves makes it possible to selectively target the nerves sensing pain • Can be turned on and off with a flick of a switch!

  8. In Summation • QAQ has the possibility of becoming a very effective anesthetic • Can be selective to nerve cells actively sensing pain • Needs Capsaicin to pass through Ion Channels • Can be turned on and off with different wavelengths of light.

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