This project seeks to identify new molecular pathways that are involved in pain signaling. The PI has pioneered a system that uses Drosophila as a platform for discovering genes required for the function of nociceptive sensory neurons. Understanding molecular mechanisms in nociceptors is of significance because sensory drive in nociceptors contributes to the development of central sensitization and subsequent chronic pain. Furthermore, congenital pain syndromes are caused by mutations in genes that affect the function of nociceptive sensory afferents in humans. Thus, a fundamental and basic understanding of the molecular mechanisms of nociceptive neurons is important for an understanding of chronic, neuropathic, and inflammatory pain. The laboratory of the PI has conducted a genetic screen which has led to the identification of a set of genes that are of importance to the function of nociceptive neurons. During the funding period experiments will be performed that seek to elucidate the molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms of these newly implicated molecules.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM086458-09
Application #
9923647
Study Section
Somatosensory and Chemosensory Systems Study Section (SCS)
Program Officer
Sesma, Michael A
Project Start
2011-07-05
Project End
2021-04-30
Budget Start
2020-05-01
Budget End
2021-04-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Indiana University Bloomington
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
006046700
City
Bloomington
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47401
Burgos, Anita; Honjo, Ken; Ohyama, Tomoko et al. (2018) Nociceptive interneurons control modular motor pathways to promote escape behavior in Drosophila. Elife 7:
Honjo, Ken; Tracey Jr, W Daniel (2018) BMP signaling downstream of the Highwire E3 ligase sensitizes nociceptors. PLoS Genet 14:e1007464
Honjo, Ken; Mauthner, Stephanie E; Wang, Yu et al. (2016) Nociceptor-Enriched Genes Required for Normal Thermal Nociception. Cell Rep 16:295-303
Mauthner, Stephanie E; Hwang, Richard Y; Lewis, Amanda H et al. (2014) Balboa binds to pickpocket in vivo and is required for mechanical nociception in Drosophila larvae. Curr Biol 24:2920-5
Pagadala, Promila; Park, Chul-Kyu; Bang, Sangsu et al. (2013) Loss of NR1 subunit of NMDARs in primary sensory neurons leads to hyperexcitability and pain hypersensitivity: involvement of Ca(2+)-activated small conductance potassium channels. J Neurosci 33:13425-30
Stewart, Andrea; Tsubouchi, Asako; Rolls, Melissa M et al. (2012) Katanin p60-like1 promotes microtubule growth and terminal dendrite stability in the larval class IV sensory neurons of Drosophila. J Neurosci 32:11631-42
Honjo, Ken; Hwang, Richard Y; Tracey Jr, William Daniel (2012) Optogenetic manipulation of neural circuits and behavior in Drosophila larvae. Nat Protoc 7:1470-8