A mechanistic model of protein kinase A dynamics under pro- and anti-nociceptive inputs

Abstract

Protein kinase A (PKA) is a central integrator of nociceptive signaling, yet a quantitative account of how pro- and anti-nociceptive inputs shape its dynamics remains incomplete. Here, we develop a mechanistic model of PKA activity in nociceptive neurons that explicitly links receptor activation to downstream kinase regulation. Using time-course and dose-response measurements, we infer unknown process parameters and quantify parameter and prediction uncertainties to ensure robust conclusions. The model captures the activation of PKA by serotonin and forskolin and its suppression by opioids. We show how the model can be used for the assessment of alternative circuit topologies, and demonstrate that receptor context and stimulation history reconfigure PKA responsiveness, providing testable predictions for opioid modulation under clinically relevant dosing. This framework offers a principled basis for integrating PKA with broader pain-signaling networks, supports rational exploration of combination therapies, and establishes a general strategy for disentangling neuromodulatory control of kinase activity. Author summaryPain perception is modulated by a complex network of signaling pathways activated by different receptors with opposing effects. A key player in this process is protein kinase A (PKA), whose regulation by both serotonin and opioid receptors is not yet fully understood. In this study, we developed a mathematical model to investigate how these opposing signals affect PKA activity in sensory neurons. After estimating the unknown model parameters from a comprehensive dataset, we were able to quantitatively analyze the dynamic behavior of the system and use it for comparison of alternative circuit topologies. Our model provides a valuable tool for integrating diverse molecular interactions involved in pain processing and could help guide future efforts to develop better treatments for chronic pain and reduce opioid tolerance.