Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2023 Aug 1.
Published in final edited form as: Pain. 2022 Feb 2;163(8):e899–e916. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002604

Table 2. Differentially expressed genes following E2 treatment.

List of known pain genes that were differentially expressed following steady-state treatment with diestrus-level E2 (Di), proestrus level E2 (Pro), supraphysiological-level E2 (Sp) E2, or vehicle (Veh) in ovariectomized female rats.

Gene
symbol
Gene Name Function Comparison Ref
Dao Diamine oxidase Scavenging extracellular histamine after mediator release Pro > Veh
Di > Veh
[99]
Bdkrb2 Bradykinin 2 receptor Proinflammatory; pronociceptive Pro > Veh
Sp > Veh
[95]
Cacna1g Calcium channel subunit alpha 1G Voltage-gated T-type calcium channel (Cav3.1) Sp > Veh
Pro > Veh
[16]
Cacna1h Calcium channel subunit alpha 1H Voltage-gated T-type calcium channel (Cav3.2) Sp > Veh
Sp > Di
[16]
Prrt2 Prolein rich transmembrane protein Negative regulator of Nav1.2/1.6
Complex disorders with migraine; type 4 familial hemiplegic migraine; in PRF pain genes
Sp > Veh
Sp > Di
[35; 59]
Grin3a NMDA receptor subunit 3a Ionotropic glutamate receptor; involved in pain inhibition Di > Veh
Pro > Veh
[81]
Gabrd GABA receptor delta Target for analgesia Di > Sp [70]
Adcyap1r1 Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) type 1 receptor (PAC1) Involved in migraine
Regulated by stress and E2
Pro > Veh
Di > Veh
Di > Sp
[56; 128]
Adcyap1 Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 1 (PACAP) Involved in migraine
Neuropathic pain onset
Pro < Veh
Sp < Veh
[29; 128]
Vip Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide Same superfamily as PACAP (glucagon/secretin); neuropathic pain maintenance Pro < Veh
Sp < Veh
Sp < Di
[29]
Prl prolactin Female-specific hyperalgesia
Modulated by E2
Sp > Veh [87; 115]
Calca Calcitonin gene-related peptide alpha Involved in migraine; female-specific responses in dura mater; prolactin increases release in female dura Di < Veh
Sp < Veh
[5; 6; 128]
Calcb Calcitonin gene-related peptide beta Involved in migraine Di < Veh
Sp < Veh
[128]
Fkbp5 FK506 binding proteins Co-chaperone of Hsp90 of steroid receptor complex (stabilizing and shuttling)
Linked to stress disorders
Pro > Veh
Di > Veh
[112; 125]
Atp1a2 Na+/K+ pump subunit alpha 2 Involved in familial migraine; E2 rescues age-related drop in ATPase; in PRF pain genes Pro > Veh
Di > Veh
Sp > Veh
[57; 59]
Timp3 Metalloproteinase inhibitor 3 Protects against cartilage degradation Pro > Veh
Di > Veh
[61]
Cnr1 Cannabinoid receptor 1 Peripheral cannabinoid receptor; peripheral analgesia Pro > Veh
Di > Veh
[123]
Faah Fatty acid amide hydrolase Inhibition reduces pain, linked to migraine; reduced FAAH leads to increased cannabinoid and 5HT activity; mutation leads to pain insensitivity; in PRF pain genes Di < Veh
Di > Sp
[39; 82]
Rgs4 Regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) 4 Regulatory molecule that acts as a GTPase activating protein (GAP). Can deactivate Gi and Gq. Maintain chronic pain. Pro < Veh
Di > Sp
[8]
S1pr3 Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 Acute mechanonociception via KCNQ2/3 (Pro > Veh) Pro < Veh
Sp < Veh
[43]
Cttn Cortactin Actin rearrangement, regulates vascular permeability, works with S1P Pro < Veh
Sp < Veh
[36]
Ptgds Prostaglandin D2 synthase (PGD2) Proinflammatory, produced by neuron, glia, immune cells
Sex-dependent nociceptive signaling
Di > Veh
Sp > Veh
[47; 111]
Insr Insulin receptor Insulin deficiency contributes to diabetic neuropathy Pro > Veh
Sp > Veh
[127]
Lama4 Laminin subunit alpha-4 Heat pain sensitivity Pro < Veh
Sp < Veh
[119]
Tmem165 Transmembrane protein 165 Intracellular calcium transporter Pro < Veh
Di < Veh
[16]
Camk2a Calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II alpha Serine/threonine protein kinase; loss contributes to switch from mechanoreception to pain Di > Veh
Sp > Veh
[124]
Cd4 CD4 molecule Membrane glycoprotein of immune cells (T cells, B cells, macrophages) Di < Veh
Sp < Veh
[74]
Bahcc1 BAH domain and coiled-coil containing 1 Unknown relevance to nociception, but was reported as a SNP in only females with TMD Sp > Veh
Sp > Di
[98]
Fabp7 Fatty acid binding protein 7 Increased in DRG with nerve injury; related to regeneration and PPAR signaling Sp < Veh
Sp < Di
[7; 27]
Col9a1 Collagen type IX alpha chain Mutation leads to painful stiff joints Sp < Veh
Sp < Di
[19]
Disc1 Disrupted in Schizophrenia (DISC1) scaffold protein Deletion reduces thermal pain sensitivity Di > Sp [114]
Anxa1 Annexin A1 Anti-inflammatory; antinociceptive Di > Sp [90]
Clock Circadian regulator Dimerizes with bmal; target to reduce OA pain Di > Sp [26]
Nav2 Neuron navigator, unc-53 homolog Mutants have impaired sensory function; diminished TG and DRG sensory neurons Di > Sp [76]
P2rx3 Purinergic receptor P2X3 Orofacial pain (TMD) and burning mouth syndrome
E2 reduces spinal P2X3
E2 attenuates P2X3 in DRG
Sp > Di [11; 69; 94; 102]
Cckbr Cholecystokinin B receptor Anti-opioid activity by heterodimerizing with MOR; E2 increases in MCF-7 cells Sp > Di [103]
Htr3A 5HT3A receptor Ionotropic, pain Sp > Di [31]
Per1 Period circadian clock 1 Altered in chronic migraine in male mice; alters chemokine release and mechanical hypersensitivity Sp > Veh [49; 83; 100]
Ptprz1 protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z1 Alters responses to thermal and tactile stimuli Di > Sp [58]