PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Reddy, Vemuri B. AU - Iuga, Aurel O. AU - Shimada, Steve G. AU - LaMotte, Robert H. AU - Lerner, Ethan A. TI - Cowhage-Evoked Itch Is Mediated by a Novel Cysteine Protease: A Ligand of Protease-Activated Receptors AID - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0716-08.2008 DP - 2008 Apr 23 TA - The Journal of Neuroscience PG - 4331--4335 VI - 28 IP - 17 4099 - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/28/17/4331.short 4100 - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/28/17/4331.full SO - J. Neurosci.2008 Apr 23; 28 AB - Cowhage spicules provide an important model for histamine-independent itch. We determined that the active component of cowhage, termed mucunain, is a novel cysteine protease. We isolated mucunain and demonstrate that both native and recombinant mucunain evoke the same quality of itch in humans. We also show that mucunain is a ligand for protease-activated receptors two and four. These results support and expand the relationship between proteases, protease-activated receptors, and itch.