A 10– year old Pakistani boy can walk on coals without discomfort; this is due to a mutation in the gene that knocks out all perception of injury. This gene is a new target for drug developers to eliminate pain.

Dr.woods found three families affected by defective gene known as Sodium channel SCN9A or N9A The protein products of this genes open channels that let sodium ions rush across nerve cell’s membrane , setting off a nervous signal. Since all pain fibers depends on SCN9A gene’s protein for amplification, all signals obtained are mutated at their source when the gene is inactive.

Source: The New York Times