TMEM233 is a novel NaV1.7-interacting protein targeted by pain-causing toxins

TMEM233 is a transmembrane protein of the dispanin protein family with previously unknown function. Here we show for the first time that TMEM233 is required for the pharmacological activity of ExTxA. The precise ExTxA binding site on TMEM233 remains to be determined. We position TMEM233 as a novel Na_V1.7-interacting protein that modulates gating properties. The interaction of Na_V1.7 with TMEM233 as well as its paralogues in the dispanin protein family will be investigated in the future.