Mesenchyme homeobox protein 2 (MEOX2) is a transcription factor involved in mesoderm differentiation, including development of bones, muscles, vasculature and dermatomes. We have previously identified dysregulation of MEOX2 in fibroblasts from Congenital Insensitivity to Pain patients, and confirmed that btn, the Drosophila homologue of MEOX2, plays a role in nocifensive responses to noxious heat stimuli. To determine the importance of MEOX2 in the mammalian peripheral nervous system, we used a Meox2 heterozygous (Meox2 ) mouse model to characterise its function in the sensory nervous system, and more specifically, in nociception. MEOX2 is expressed in the mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord, and localises in the nuclei of a subset of sensory neurons. Functional studies of the mouse model, including behavioural, cellular and electrophysiological analyses, showed altered nociception encompassing impaired action potential initiation upon depolarisation. Mechanistically, we noted decreased expression of Scn9a and Scn11a genes encoding Na 1.7 and Na 1.9 voltage-gated sodium channels respectively, that are crucial in subthreshold amplification and action potential initiation in nociceptors. Further transcriptomic analyses of Meox2 DRG revealed downregulation of a specific subset of genes including those previously associated with pain perception, such as PENK and NPY. Based on these observations, we propose a novel role of MEOX2 in primary afferent nociceptor neurons for the maintenance of a transcriptional programme required for proper perception of acute and inflammatory noxious stimuli.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/febs.16347 | DOI Listing |
Vet Med Sci
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are contiguous stretches of identical genomic regions inherited from both parents. Assessment of ROH in livestock species contributes significantly to our understanding of genetic health, population genetic structure, selective pressure and conservation efforts. In this study, whole genome re-sequencing data from 140 birds of 10 Iranian indigenous chicken ecotypes, 3 commercial chicken breeds and 1 red junglefowl (RJF) population were used to investigate their population genetic structure, ROH characteristics (length and frequency) and genomic inbreeding coefficients (F).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Biosci (Landmark Ed)
August 2024
Department of Dermatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 430071 Wuhan, Hubei, China.
J Pharm Anal
September 2024
Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFAltern Ther Health Med
July 2024
Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a major pathological subtype of non-small cell lung cancer and occurs more commonly in females than other lung cancer subtypes. Studying female-specific oncogenes in LUAD may provide personalized medicine approaches for females with LUAD.
Objective: We aimed to identify the possible female-specific oncogenes of LUAD and understand their potential impact on treatment strategies for specific cancer subgroups.
Cancer Manag Res
June 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Liaocheng, 252000, People's Republic of China.
Purpose: Low-grade gliomas (LGG) are common brain tumors with high mortality rates. Cancer cell invasion is a significant factor in tumor metastasis. Novel biomarkers are urgently needed to predict LGG prognosis effectively.
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