Chronic pain affects one in five Canadians, but its underlying biology remains poorly understood. This project explores how epigenetic mechanisms regulate pain sensitivity, using Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) as a genetic model to study nociceptive hypersensitivity following injury. Researchers are focusing on the roles of two key proteins: G9a, a histone methyltransferase, and PKG (encoded by the for gene), both of which appear to affect how pain is processed at the cellular level. Preliminary findings suggest that loss of G9a increases PKG expression, leading to heightened pain sensitivity. By uncovering how injury-induced epigenetic changes influence pain signaling, the team aims to reveal mechanisms conserved between flies and mammals. These discoveries could point to new therapeutic strategies for chronic pain.

This research will deepen our understanding of the molecular drivers of chronic pain and may identify epigenetic targets for new pain treatments. Insights gained in fruit flies could accelerate discoveries in mammalian systems and guide future drug development.