Document Type
Poster Session
Department
Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor
Daniel Moore, PhD
Keywords
polymorphisms, pain sensitivity, mutation
Abstract
Pain is an important defense mechanism that protects us from environmental factors that might harm us. Our body's response to pain helps us to avoid injury. However, constant pain is a problem. Management of constant pain is an important area of research. Studies have shown that genetic variation contributes to pain sensitivity.
Numerous pain-related genes and their functional polymorphisms (CYP450, MOR-1, COMT, GCH1, etc.) have been identified in the past ten years. In particular, three opioid receptors (OPRM, OPRD and OPRK) are associated with pain sensitivity. One of the most studied human functional polymorphisms is the debrisoquine/sparteine polymorphism of CYP2D6 (encoding the P450 2D6 enzyme). CYP2D6 is an important metabolic gene associated with the metabolism of many of opioid receptors including codeine, hydrocodone, and tramadol.
A complete lack of sensitivity to pain is a dangerous genetic mutation that can lead to the premature death of an individual. A total loss of pain has been seen in six distinct rare hereditary syndromes, called the ‘channelopathy-associated insensitivity to pain’.
This poster summarizes recent research into pain sensitivity genes. A better understanding of genes that contribute to pain sensitivity could lead to better ways of managing constant pain.
Open Access?
1
The Genes of Pain
Pain is an important defense mechanism that protects us from environmental factors that might harm us. Our body's response to pain helps us to avoid injury. However, constant pain is a problem. Management of constant pain is an important area of research. Studies have shown that genetic variation contributes to pain sensitivity.
Numerous pain-related genes and their functional polymorphisms (CYP450, MOR-1, COMT, GCH1, etc.) have been identified in the past ten years. In particular, three opioid receptors (OPRM, OPRD and OPRK) are associated with pain sensitivity. One of the most studied human functional polymorphisms is the debrisoquine/sparteine polymorphism of CYP2D6 (encoding the P450 2D6 enzyme). CYP2D6 is an important metabolic gene associated with the metabolism of many of opioid receptors including codeine, hydrocodone, and tramadol.
A complete lack of sensitivity to pain is a dangerous genetic mutation that can lead to the premature death of an individual. A total loss of pain has been seen in six distinct rare hereditary syndromes, called the ‘channelopathy-associated insensitivity to pain’.
This poster summarizes recent research into pain sensitivity genes. A better understanding of genes that contribute to pain sensitivity could lead to better ways of managing constant pain.
