Histone methyltransferase G9a diminishes expression of cannabinoid CB₁ receptors in primary sensory neurons in neuropathic pain.

ABSTRACT: Type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB₁Rs) are expressed in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and contribute to the analgesic effect of cannabinoids. However, the epigenetic mechanism regulating the expression of CB₁Rs in neuropathic pain is unknown. G9a (encoded by the Ehmt2 gene), a histone 3 at lysine 9 methyltransferase, is a key chromatin regulator responsible for gene silencing. In this study, we determined G9a's role in regulating CB₁R expression in the DRG and in CB₁R-mediated analgesic effects in an animal model of neuropathic pain. We show that nerve injury profoundly reduced mRNA levels of CB₁Rs but increased the expression of CB₂ receptors in the rat DRG. ChIP results indicated increased enrichment of histone 3 at

SUBMITTER: Luo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7076223 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature