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Updated: Sep 6, 2025
10:37
Development of Recombinant Proteins to Treat Chronic Pain
Published on: April 11, 2018
9.6K
A compendium of validated pain genes
Eric Wistrom1, Rebecca Chase1, Patrick R Smith1
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA.
Wires Mechanisms of Disease
|June 27, 2022
Summary
Researchers identified 242 genes involved in pain-associated behaviors by analyzing decades of research. These genes regulate diverse functions, offering new therapeutic targets for neurological diseases.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Genomics
- Molecular and Cellular Physiology
- Neurological Diseases
Background:
- Developing novel pain therapeutics requires identifying and validating potential molecular targets.
- Model organisms are crucial for investigating gene and regulatory element involvement in pain pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile a comprehensive list of genes associated with pain-related behaviors.
- To analyze the expression patterns of these pain-associated genes.
- To explore opportunities for future research and therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of research spanning over three decades to identify pain-associated genes.
- Analysis of existing tissue and single-cell high-throughput RNA sequencing datasets.
- Examination of gene expression patterns and functional categories.
Main Results:
- Identification of 242 genes linked to pain-associated behaviors.
- These genes encompass diverse functions including action potential propagation, immune response, GPCR signaling, and intercellular signaling.
- Expression patterns were analyzed for various gene classes.
Conclusions:
- The identified gene set provides a valuable resource for understanding pain mechanisms.
- Further experimentation on archetypal members within gene classes can reveal specific therapeutic opportunities.
- Forward genetic screening approaches hold promise for enhancing pain gene discovery.
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